Recruiting from Scratch is active on Paraform. We focus on engineering and technical leadership roles at Series A–C startups, and Paraform is one of the channels we use to connect with founders who are building their first engineering teams.
If you've found us through Paraform, here's what to expect.
Paraform is a recruiting marketplace where vetted recruiting firms compete to fill open roles at startups. It's bounty-based — you post a role, recruiting firms engage, and you pay when a hire is made. There are no retainers, no upfront fees.
For founders who want access to multiple specialized recruiting firms without committing to one, Paraform is a legitimate option. We've found it works best for urgent IC roles at companies that move fast.
We work through Paraform for a few reasons:
We focus on:
| Role type | Details |
|---|---|
| Software Engineers | Full-stack, backend, frontend, mobile |
| AI/ML Engineers | Applied ML, MLOps, research-adjacent |
| Staff/Principal Engineers | Leadership through code |
| Engineering Managers | First-time and experienced EMs |
| VP/Head of Engineering | Series B and beyond |
We're not the right fit for: junior roles (under 3 years experience), non-technical functions, or companies that aren't ready to move within 4 weeks of first interviews.
You don't have to find us through Paraform. We work with founders directly as well. If you'd like to discuss a search outside the marketplace, you can reach us at recruitingfromscratch.com.
Q: Is Recruiting from Scratch active on Paraform? A: Yes. We're an active recruiting firm on Paraform, focused on engineering and technical leadership roles at Series A–C startups. Q: How do I work with RFS through Paraform? A: Post your role on Paraform and we'll engage if it matches our focus. You can also reach out through our Paraform profile directly. Once engaged, we work just like any other RFS search — single point of contact, proactive sourcing, and regular candidate updates. Q: What types of roles does RFS fill on Paraform? A: We fill software engineering roles (full-stack, backend, frontend, mobile), AI/ML roles, Staff and Principal Engineers, Engineering Managers, and VP/Head of Engineering. We don't fill junior roles or non-technical functions through any channel. Q: What fees does RFS charge on Paraform? A: Fees follow Paraform's standard structure — a placement fee paid when a hire is made. There are no retainers or upfront costs. The exact percentage is visible on our Paraform profile. Q: Is Paraform a good option for startup technical hiring? A: It depends on your situation. Paraform works well for urgent IC roles at startups that move quickly. If you need a more embedded search process, or want a recruiting partner to help you think through the role definition, a direct engagement with a firm may serve you better. Q: What makes RFS different from other Paraform recruiting firms? A: We focus exclusively on technical roles at startups. We don't work with enterprise companies or recruit for non-engineering functions. That narrow focus means we know how to calibrate candidates for startup-stage scope and culture — not just credential matching.Tell us about your open roles and we'll start sourcing within 48 hours.
