How to Use Hacker News Who Is Hiring Threads
Ask HN: Who is hiring? is a monthly Hacker News thread, posted at the start of each month, where companies post open roles as top-level comments, typically with company, location, remote or onsite, and role details. Candidates search it for relevant roles and contact companies directly. Employers write concise, specific posts. A companion thread lists people seeking work.
What the thread is
Hacker News, the technology news site, hosts a monthly thread titled Ask HN: Who is hiring? followed by the month and year. Companies post one top-level comment each describing open roles. The community norms favour companies that are actively hiring and posts that are clear about location and remote options. Companion threads, Who wants to be hired? and sometimes freelancer threads, appear alongside it.
Using it as a candidate
- Search smartly. Use the browser's find function, or third-party tools that index the threads, to search for your stack, REMOTE, a city, or a domain such as AI or crypto.
- Read the whole post. Many include specific application instructions, such as mentioning the thread or emailing a person directly.
- Apply directly and personally. Posts often come from founders or engineers. A short, specific message about why you fit the described role works better than a generic application.
- Check the company. Look at its website, product, and recent news before applying.
- Act early. Posts get many responses in the first days of the month.
Using it as an employer
Write a post that a busy engineer can scan: company name, location and remote policy, roles, a one or two sentence description of what you build, stack, salary range, and how to apply. Be honest about stage and constraints. Respond to applicants, since the community notices companies that do not. Posting every month when hiring builds familiarity.
Why it works
The thread has relatively low noise compared with large job boards: companies post directly, often small or technical teams, and readers are mostly engineers. Direct contact with hiring managers shortens the process. For candidates in niches such as AI infrastructure, developer tools, or onchain engineering, it surfaces companies that may not advertise elsewhere.
Writing a strong application message
Keep it short: one line on who you are, two or three lines connecting a specific past project to the role described, and a link to your work or résumé. Mention the thread if the post asks you to. Avoid generic cover letters. Many posts are read by founders or engineering leads who respond to specifics.
Tools and indexes
Several community-built tools index the monthly threads, making it easier to filter by keyword, remote status, or location across months. They can save time, but always read the original post and follow its application instructions, since indexes may lag or miss details.
Spotting weak posts
Be cautious of posts with no company name, no clear role, unusual requests such as payment or sensitive details early, or contact only through personal messaging apps. Most posts are genuine, but job scams appear on many channels. Verify the company independently before sharing personal information.
Limitations
Coverage skews toward startups, US and European companies, and engineering roles. Posts vary in quality, and some companies stop responding. Use it alongside other channels: referrals, community job boards, and targeted boards for your field.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the HN Who is hiring thread posted?
- It is posted at the start of each month, typically on the first weekday, and remains active through the month. Companies post as top-level comments. Applying early in the month helps, since many posts receive most responses in the first few days.
- How do I search the Who is hiring thread?
- Use your browser's find function on the thread page for keywords such as your stack, REMOTE, or a city, or use third-party tools that index the monthly threads and allow filtering. Read each matching post fully, since application instructions vary between companies.
- Can I post that I am looking for work on Hacker News?
- Yes, in the companion Who wants to be hired? thread, which follows a template: location, remote preference, willingness to relocate, technologies, resume link, and contact details. Keep it concise and specific about the kind of work you want, and update or repost each month while you are looking.
- Is the HN Who is hiring thread good for remote jobs?
- Yes. Many posts specify REMOTE, and searching for that keyword is a common way to find remote roles. Check details carefully, since remote may be limited to certain countries or time zones. Combine it with other remote job sources to cover companies that do not post there.
- Do companies actually respond to applications from Hacker News?
- Many do, especially small companies where the post was written by a founder or engineer. Response rates vary, and some companies receive many applications. Specific, relevant messages sent early in the month have the best chance. Follow up politely once if there is no reply after a reasonable time.
- What is the Who wants to be hired thread?
- It is a companion monthly thread where people looking for work post a short profile: location, remote preference, willingness to relocate, technologies, résumé link, and contact details. Employers browse it to find candidates directly. Keep the post specific about the roles and domains you want.
- Should employers include salary in a Who is hiring post?
- Including a salary range is strongly recommended. Readers often skip posts without one, and ranges set expectations before anyone invests time. Some jurisdictions require pay transparency in job postings. If a range is not possible, explain how compensation is determined and what level the role targets.