wroclove.rb 2025 lightning talk on the tough job market. Traces the typical recruitment funnel — initial talk, soft-tech talk, tech talk, validation, contract or no contract — and points out that candidates rarely learn what to improve on rejection because recruiters don't tell the truth (fear of negative LinkedIn/community posts). What candidates do get: how to sell themselves, how to learn, a sabbatical, an updated résumé, reconnection with old colleagues. But that's not enough. Getting a job is about showing you can deliver value, so the best source of honest feedback is old folks who know you — former mentors, team leaders, anyone willing to give hard truths. Notes that giving negative feedback is hard, especially to strangers whose reactions are unpredictable (speaker thanks a friend named Carol for discussing this earlier the same day). Closing advice: 'reach out to someone who knows how to get the flavor out of you.'