5 Non-Traditional Recruiting Methods that Work: Hackathons and Coding Challenges
In the competitive world of tech recruitment, companies are turning to innovative strategies to find top talent. Hackathons and coding challenges have emerged as powerful tools for identifying skilled professionals, offering unique insights that traditional hiring methods often miss. Drawing on expert opinions, this article explores how these non-traditional approaches can uncover hidden gems and raw potential in the tech industry.
- Spot Talent Through Public Projects
- Discover Skills at Virtual Hackathons
- Uncover Hidden Gems via Coding Challenges
- Find Raw Potential at Student Hackathons
- Host Virtual Hackathons to Attract Talent
Spot Talent Through Public Projects
I don't always hire in my traditional way, which is mainly through referrals. Occasionally, I spot someone building in public (#buildinpublic on X) — a project that solves a problem similar to mine. When that happens, I reach out.
If their product aligns well with what I'm doing, I sometimes offer to buy it and bring them into my team.
This doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's extremely effective: we start aligned, and I know they can deliver results.
Discover Skills at Virtual Hackathons
Last year, we struggled to find a strong software developer through traditional channels, so I decided to tap into a hackathon community. We partnered with a regional virtual hackathon hosted on DevPost, where teams worked on real-world challenges over a weekend. I observed participants' problem-solving skills, collaboration, and coding style in real-time. One developer stood out by not only writing clean, efficient code but also by quickly adapting to feedback and communicating clearly with teammates. After the event, we reached out to that individual with a tailored offer. Using this non-traditional method allowed us to assess candidates' skills in a practical environment rather than relying solely on resumes or interviews. It saved time and helped us find a candidate whose working style fit perfectly with our team dynamics. I'd recommend this approach to anyone looking for talent that's both technically strong and adaptable under pressure.
Uncover Hidden Gems via Coding Challenges
Talmatic once interviewed a developer whom we discovered through an online coding challenge on HackerRank. We invited participants to solve a real-world problem using one of our internal tools.
Through this process, we were able to test the problem-solving abilities of candidates in a real-world context. As a result, we discovered a highly skilled developer who might have gone unnoticed through a traditional resume screening method.
This experience demonstrates why it's so important to think outside the box if you want to find a "diamond in the rough" in the software universe!
Find Raw Potential at Student Hackathons
At one point, I was looking for someone with a strong eye for design and a beginner's mindset in tech. I attended a local hackathon hosted by nwPlus, a student-run organization that attracted people from diverse backgrounds. One participant stood out—not because of technical expertise, but because she came from a business background and wanted to build something tangible. She didn't just pitch an idea; she rolled up her sleeves and prototyped it in 24 hours. That kind of drive matters more to me than a polished resume.
I remember asking her what brought her to the event. She mentioned wanting to test whether design or tech was the right path for her. She had read the blogs, watched the videos, but needed hands-on experience to push her forward. Hackathons, especially beginner-friendly ones, are excellent for observing how someone handles uncertainty and pressure. You don't need a degree to demonstrate that you can contribute—you need curiosity and courage to build something from scratch.
If you're hiring, go beyond traditional job boards. Look into events where people are trying tech for the first time. You'll find raw potential and fresh thinking. I've had success recruiting early-career talent from hackathons and helping them grow. You won't get someone fully trained, but you will get someone who's all-in—and that's the kind of person who thrives at Parachute.
Host Virtual Hackathons to Attract Talent
One of my most effective outside-the-box hiring strategies was hosting a virtual hackathon on the HackerEarth platform to hire a first-rate software developer. Rather than relying solely on resumes and interviews, we invited candidates to participate in a real-life coding challenge built around our tech stack. This enabled us to test technical skills, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities in a dynamic setting.
This format attracted a diverse and passionate group of developers, many of whom might not have made it through typical recruitment channels. The winner demonstrated stellar performance, showcasing a high level of coding skills and innovative thinking geared toward integration into our team. This method accelerated our hiring process while enhancing our employer brand among developers.
