How to Post Your Job Seeker Profile in the Hacker News 'Who Wants to Be Hired?' Thread

Introduction

Every month, Hacker News hosts a dedicated “Who wants to be hired?” thread where individual job seekers can share their details directly with potential employers and collaborators. This guide walks you through crafting and submitting an effective post that follows community guidelines and increases your visibility. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to present yourself in the required format, where to find aggregate views of listings, and what to avoid so you stand out for the right reasons.

What You Need

• A current résumé or CV (PDF or link recommended).
• Your professional email address.
• A clear idea of your primary location (city, region, or time zone).
• Honest answers about remote work preferences and relocation willingness.
• A list of technologies you actively use (e.g., Python, React, AWS).
• Optional: a personal website, GitHub profile, or LinkedIn URL to include in your résumé field.
• (Recommended) Familiarity with aggregation sites like nthesis.ai or wantstobehired.com to see how others present themselves.

Step‑by‑Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Information in the Exact Required Format

The thread demands a specific structure to keep listings scannable. Write down the following fields in order, exactly as shown:

1. Location: Your current city or region. If you’re open to multiple locations, list the primary one first.
2. Remote: “Yes” or “No” (and optionally add conditions like “Yes, with occasional travel”).
3. Willing to relocate: “Yes” or “No”. If yes, you may list preferred destinations.
4. Technologies: A comma‑separated list of languages, frameworks, databases, tools, and platforms you are proficient in.
5. Résumé/CV: A link to your PDF or an online profile. Avoid attaching files directly; use a sharing service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or a personal site.
6. Email: A valid email address where employers can reach you. (Note: do not post phone numbers or full home addresses.)

Pro tip: Keep the entire post to a single paragraph without extra commentary. The community expects a clean, no‑frills format.

Step 2: Double‑Check That You Are Posting as an Individual

The thread rules explicitly ban agencies, recruiters, job boards, and automated postings. Only post if you personally are looking for work. If you have multiple friends seeking jobs, ask them to post separately. Violating this rule can result in downvotes or having your comment removed.

Step 3: Write Your Post Following the Format Exactly

Compose your comment using the template from Step 1. For example:

Location: San Francisco, CA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: Python, Django, PostgreSQL, AWS, React
Résumé/CV: https://example.com/resume.pdf
Email: jane.doe@example.com

Use plain text only. Do not add bold, italics, or bullet lists. The Hacker News comment system renders simple line breaks, so keep each field on its own line. Avoid extra blank lines or headers.

Step 4: Submit Your Comment in the Correct Thread

Navigate to the “Ask HN: Who wants to be hired?” thread for the month you want to post in. The thread appears on the first day of each month. Look for the one dated May 2026 (or the current month). Click “reply” at the end of the thread’s main post and paste your prepared text. Double‑check that all fields are filled and accurate, then submit.

Step 5: Monitor Responses and Use Aggregator Sites for Extra Exposure

After posting, check your email regularly for messages from interested parties. You can also use third‑party sites that index these threads, such as nthesis.ai or wantstobehired.com. These tools let you search by location or technology and can help you see what a potential employer might view. However, note that these are simply mirrors—your actual posting remains on Hacker News. Keep your comment updated if your situation changes (e.g., you accept a job offer, relocate, or learn new technologies).

Tips for Making Your Post Stand Out

• Be concise: The format is designed for quick scanning. Don’t add any fluff or personal stories.
• Keep your technologies list realistic: Only list skills you can confidently use in a professional setting. Over‑exaggeration wastes everyone’s time.
• Use a clean résumé link: Ensure the link works and leads to an up‑to‑date document. If you update your résumé, also update the link in your comment.
• Avoid including multiple email addresses: One is enough. Using a burner account? Make sure you check it daily.
• Proofread for typos: A missing “Remote: Yes” could be a deal‑breaker for many employers. Read your post out loud or use a spell‑checker.
• Respect the thread’s purpose: Do not use the thread to promote services, products, or other job boards. Only personal job seeker posts are allowed.
• Consider timing: Posting early in the month (within the first few days) may give you more visibility as many readers browse recent entries first.
• Stay safe: Never include sensitive personal information like your full home address, phone number, or Social Security number. Email is enough for initial contact.

Many successful hires have come from these threads because they are direct, low‑friction, and attract high‑quality employers. Follow the rules, keep it clean, and good luck!