Today we’re joined by John Kim, co-founder and CEO of Paraform—a startup reshaping how companies hire through a fast-growing recruiter marketplace. He shares Paraform’s journey from early struggles to raising a $20M Series A, and reflects on his growth as a leader, along with the company’s vision to expand across industries and deepen AI integration.This conversation matters because it reveals what it really takes to scale a marketplace, build trust with users, and win in one of tech’s most competitive battlegrounds: hiring.We dive into:Early startup experienceCustomer referrals drove investor interestRecruiter marketplace for top-tier hiringMatches companies with external headhuntersAI-powered recruiter performance and matching7-figure earnings possible for recruitersAI assists recruiters, not replaces themFounder goal: master the hiring craft“Scaling is hiring people who hire”Building tools for recruiter entrepreneurshipMarketplace designed for global scalability00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:26 Startup Growth and Office Expansion01:27 Series A Funding Announcement01:48 The Journey to Series A03:13 Customer Success Stories07:22 Elevator Pitch and Recruiting Edge09:55 Vanta Ad11:34 Building the Marketplace12:34 Personal Background and Experiences15:05 Rapid Company Growth15:41 Overcoming Early Challenges20:17 Go-to-Market Strategies24:02 Navigating a Hot Market24:29 The Talent War: Changes in Recruiting25:34 AI's Impact on Work and Salaries26:52 The Future Role of Recruiters28:25 Cultural Fit in Talent Acquisition30:44 In-House vs. External Recruiters33:34 Different Approaches to Recruiting36:37 Sustainability of Current Hiring Practices39:21 Personal Growth and Leadership44:29 Future Goals and VisionThe future of hiring with AI and trust-driven workflows is here. #AI #Startups #Paraform #TechFoundersAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Ver todos los episodios