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How Tech Hiring Really Works Now? | 🎙️#65

Podcast cover for "DevOps Accents Episode 65: How Tech Hiring Really Works Now?" featuring a vintage microphone and a laptop displaying "<3" on an orange and white background.
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In this episode of DevOps Accents Kirill is back from Bits & Pretzels 2025 in Munich and is ready to discuss the conference experience with Leo and Pablo. We also talk about networking and tech hiring in 2025 and anywhere ops. In this episode:

  • Kirill’s impressions of Bits & Pretzels 2025;
  • The pitch contest on the conference;
  • The networking role of conferences;
  • Changes in traditional recruitment and work environment.

You can listen to episode 65 of DevOps Accents on Spotify, or right now:

A Changed Atmosphere at Bits & Pretzels 2025

Kirill returned from Bits & Pretzels 2025 in Munich with a mix of nostalgia and new insights. While artificial intelligence still dominated the startup scene, he noticed a healthy decline in the “AI-everywhere” trend that had flooded the previous year. “Last year, it was 100% AI—now it’s maybe 50%, and that’s refreshing,” he told Leo. The event still buzzed with energy from thousands of founders, investors, and innovators, but this year brought a more balanced focus, highlighting robotics, space tech, and practical innovations over hype.

Kirill’s humor colored his reflections—especially his lament about the loss of free coffee and pretzels. Despite the steep ticket prices, attendees now had to pay for food and drinks. “It’s not a cheap conference,” he joked, “but come on, at least give us coffee.” These small changes became a lighthearted metaphor for the shifting nature of tech gatherings—less about perks, more about substance.

The Spirit of Connection and the Cancelled Oktoberfest Networking

Bits & Pretzels is as famous for its networking as it is for its talks. The traditional “table captain” networking session—where attendees could sit with top executives or founders over drinks—was canceled this year due to a security issue in Munich. The story behind it, which Kirill relayed with disbelief, involved a dramatic local incident that led to safety concerns across the entire Oktoberfest area.

Without this signature “liquid networking” event, Kirill took a more relaxed approach to meeting people. Unlike last year’s intense schedule of back-to-back meetings, this time he attended panels and talks, enjoying the chance to observe and learn. He found the panel-heavy format engaging, even if he missed the deep-dive keynotes. One highlight for him was a discussion between the CEOs of Isar Aerospace and a Bulgarian satellite company—a snapshot of Europe’s growing space ambitions. “They’re trying to become the SpaceX of Europe,” he said, impressed by their drive but skeptical about the U.S. funding behind it.

European Focus and the Thrill of the Pitch Contest

This year’s conference also saw a clear shift toward showcasing European leaders rather than importing celebrity speakers. As Kirill explained to Pablo, organizers are intentionally giving the stage to local founders and policymakers—like those from Personio or Isar Aerospace—rather than international icons such as Schwarzenegger or Obama. “You give the stage to your audience,” he said approvingly, noting that it made the event feel more authentic and less performative.

Both Kirill and Pablo were particularly enthusiastic about the pitch contest. The “pitch master,” as Kirill recalled with amusement, had to be careful pronouncing his title in Italy due to the closeness of “pitch” and “beach.” But the competition itself was no joke—this year’s startups were genuinely impressive. The winning ideas included construction robots that speed up heavy labor and a company that developed synthetic blood to make organ transportation ten times cheaper. Pablo praised the event’s format, emphasizing how it allowed founders to showcase ideas rather than just seek investment. “It’s not just about money,” he said, “it’s about visibility, creativity, and competition.”

Networking, Recruitment, and the Shifting Work Landscape

The hosts steered the conversation toward a deeper discussion on how conferences like Bits & Pretzels fit into the changing world of work and recruitment. Leo noted that events once centered on learning have become more about branding and investment, while Pablo reflected on the blurred lines between hiring, pitching, and networking. “You can get a job there,” Pablo said, “but only if you meet the right person—and that’s not always easy.”

Kirill, whose wife works in recruitment, noted that while networking remains vital, traditional hiring isn’t dead—it simply mirrors the economy’s ups and downs. He observed, however, that the recent wave of “back to the office” mandates marks a clear shift in company attitudes. “Apparently we learned nothing,” he joked, pointing out that even tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon are pulling employees back to physical offices.

Leo pushed the conversation further, arguing that technology like Starlink’s direct-to-cell service is making remote work more viable than ever. Yet Pablo countered with a pragmatic take: flexibility must come with rules. “You need to make general rules,” he said. “If you let everyone do what they want, nobody will go to the office.” Kirill agreed that not everyone even wants full remote freedom—some prefer the structure and social side of office life.

Looking Ahead

Kirill’s reflections painted Bits & Pretzels as a mirror of Europe’s startup ecosystem—more mature, less flashy, and more focused on meaningful innovation and human connection. The shift from celebrity appearances to local leadership, from AI buzzwords to practical robotics, echoed broader shifts in the tech world. And as Leo, Pablo, and Kirill discussed, the same transformations are reshaping how people connect, recruit, and work.

In the end, Kirill’s takeaway wasn’t about coffee or panels—it was about balance. Between hype and reality, remote and office, global and local. Or as Leo might put it, between the bits and the pretzels.

Show Notes: