Tech hiring isn’t what it used to be. Layoffs flooded the market with talent, but Big Tech is still snapping up the best. Your next hire is out there—but only if you’re willing to ditch the old playbook.
Recruiters and founders are facing a messy reality: stacks of resumes, tight budgets, and zero room for mistakes. I’ve been in this business for years, and 2025 is different. Remote work, freelance talent, and AI aren’t just trends—they’re the tools that will keep you competitive. Here’s how to use them.
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⚡️ Find developers, designers, marketers, and more
⚡️ Freelance or full-time remote + fully vetted
⚡️ Save up to 80% with global hires
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Remote work: talent is everywhere
Tech professionals aren’t rushing back to the office—64% of employees are extremely likely to look for another job if they lose remote work flexibility, according to Gallup’s 2024 survey. Tech leads all industries in remote workdays, yet some companies still insist on onsite-only. That’s a mistake.
Remote hiring gives you access to top-tier developers in São Paulo, Seoul, or anywhere talent thrives. The companies clinging to office mandates? They’re losing out.
“The biggest myth I’ve heard from clients is that global talent lacks strong communication skills or cultural fit. That’s false. Many remote professionals have years of experience working with Western companies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Platforms now screen for communication and culture, ensuring a great fit for remote teams.” – Jeff Lam, Head of Talent & Global Partnerships at Arc
At Arc, I saw TrueML build a strong remote engineering team in Latin America, filling 50% of open technical roles. They hired 20 developers, cut salaries by 58%, and reduced hiring time by 30%, helping the team meet deadlines and ease recruitment stress. That’s not just cost-cutting—it’s a strategic advantage.
“The Arc team consists of a great group of technical sourcers and recruiters. We appreciated their ability to adjust based on feedback and their proactive communications.” — Cherlynne Serafino-King, the Director of Recruiting & People Programs at TrueML
Freelance talent: expertise on demand
Losing a key developer can feel like a gut punch. But in 2025, freelancers are filling gaps fast.
The independent workforce hit 1.57 billion this year, accounting for 46.7% of the global workforce (DemandSage). About half specialize in tech—AI, cybersecurity, and other high-demand fields. They’re not job-hunting; they’re consulting, launching projects, and ready to jump in when needed.
“Freelancers help startups scale fast without long-term commitments. Many early-stage companies don’t know exactly what they need or for how long. Freelancers bring specialized expertise, execute quickly, and can be hired for project-based work.” – Jeff Lam, Head of Talent & Global Partnerships at Arc
The smartest teams keep core product and go-to-market in-house while outsourcing the rest. Copy.ai did just that. Their content team struggled to balance SEO, content updates, and social media while scaling production.
They used Arc to hire three vetted freelancers from Asia within weeks. The results helped Copy.ai save more and grow faster.
- 15-30 hours saved weekly by outsourcing technical tasks
- Improved SEO rankings, with refreshed content reaching the top three positions
- 3-4x cost savings compared to full-time local hires
- Fast hiring, with onboarding completed in just 8 days
“Arc was a huge shortcut. I quickly found freelancers who took over the technical work, like SEO and content updates, so I could focus on strategy and keep things moving forward. The freelancers are dependable, efficient, and fit seamlessly into how we work.” — Nathan Thompson, Head of Content Strategy at Copy.ai.
AI in hiring: faster decisions, better picks
Hiring in 2025 isn’t about sorting resumes—it’s about cutting through the noise. 75% of recruiters now use AI, up from 55% in 2024 (HR Exchange Network). The best AI tools don’t just speed things up; they outsmart the AI-generated resumes job seekers are using.
They surface high-impact candidates faster, especially generalists who use AI to 10x their productivity. AI doesn’t replace recruiters—it eliminates time-wasters so you can focus on top-tier hires.
“When companies expand hiring to a global talent pool, they go from hundreds to thousands of applications. AI helps by screening and ranking candidates based on skills, experience, and company fit, surfacing the best talent faster.” – Jeff Lam, Head of Talent & Global Partnerships at Arc
Winsync, a peer-to-peer transfer platform, needed a Flutterflow app developer and turned to Arc. Within hours, Arc sourced three qualified candidates and scheduled interviews the same day. Just days later, Winsync successfully hired the right developer.
The 2025 hiring strategy: mix it all together
The best hiring playbook this year? Remote teams. Freelancers. AI-powered decisions. Maybe even creative comp structures like equity or revenue shares to land top talent without burning cash.
Remote hiring pulls in developers while Big Tech scrambles. The sharpest candidates aren’t even applying—they’re advising, waiting for the right offer. Freelancers step in when full-time hires fall through. AI makes sure you’re picking the best, not just the first available.
I’ve seen it work at Arc with companies like TrueML and Copy.ai. TrueML’s remote hires saved 58% and outperformed expectations. Copy.ai’s freelancers delivered high-impact content with minimal cost.
Want to build a hiring strategy that actually works in 2025? Start small, think big, and move fast. The companies doing that aren’t just filling roles—they’re winning.
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
⚡️ Access 450,000 top developers, designers, and marketers
⚡️ Vetted and ready to interview
⚡️ Freelance or full-time
