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Resume overload
High application volume makes it harder to identify the people who can actually do the work.
Our approach → Targeted sourcing and qualification against real requirements.
Technical recruiting & hiring advisory
Better hires.
Built on evidence.
Hiring shouldn't come down to the best resume, the most polished interview, or a gut feeling. J Michael Consulting helps growing teams find exceptional talent, assess what actually matters, and hire with confidence.
● 15+ years of technical recruiting experience · A hands-on partner, not another resume pipeline
THE HIRING FRAMEWORK
The hiring problem
More applicants. Less clarity.
Higher stakes.
The hiring process is getting noisier. More applications and polished answers don't necessarily mean more qualified candidates. Without a clear standard, teams risk mistaking confidence for capability.
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Interviews driven by instinct
Different interviewers ask different questions, then compare candidates based on impressions.
Our approach → Structured interviews and shared evaluation criteria.
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Skills that aren't validated
Credentials and polished responses can hide gaps in hands-on ability and problem solving.
Our approach → Relevant work samples, technical exercises, and evidence.
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Slow, expensive mis-hires
Unclear expectations and delayed feedback prolong searches and increase the cost of getting it wrong.
Our approach → Role calibration, fast feedback loops, and decisive hiring.
What we do
Better People Decisions.
Better Team Culture.
Better Business Outcomes.
Whether you need a critical hire or a more disciplined way to build your team, we bring recruiting execution and practical hiring expertise together.
Direct-hire technical recruiting
Focused searches for software engineers, engineering leaders, data professionals, product managers, UX designers, and other specialized technology roles.
Fractional recruiting partnership
Senior-level recruiting support without a full-time headcount. From sourcing and screening to interview coordination and closing candidates.
Hiring process & interview design
Define role expectations, strengthen assessments, standardize scorecards, and help hiring teams evaluate candidates based on demonstrated skills.
Our approach
Hiring is too important to leave to chance.
We combine the judgment of an experienced recruiter with a process built to uncover real capability—not just interview performance.
Build a better hiring process ↗1
Get specific about success
Clarify the outcomes, skills, and level the role truly requires.
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Find and engage the right talent
Run a focused search and create a thoughtful candidate experience.
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Test what matters
Use structured interviews and role-relevant assessments to gather evidence.
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Make the decision with confidence
Compare candidates against the same standard and close with clarity.
Meet the founder
Experience in recruiting.
A conviction about better hiring.
J Michael Consulting is led by Joshua Michael, a technical recruiting professional with more than 15 years of experience supporting complex hiring needs across engineering, product, data, and technology teams.
Joshua believes hiring decisions should be grounded in demonstrated ability, clear expectations, and consistent evaluation—not resume buzzwords or years of experience alone. That philosophy shapes both his recruiting work and his role as a co-founder of FirstWho.
Connect with Joshua ↗
FirstWhoCo-founded by Joshua Michael
Better hiring, supported by better tools
Meet FirstWho: turn interviews into usable evidence.
Recruiting help is one part of the equation. FirstWho helps teams prepare for interviews, assess candidates against predefined criteria, and compare what they actually observed. It's a practical complement to a more intentional hiring process.
Role-specific JobKits
Structured questions, practical exercises, and evaluation guidance designed around the role and level you're hiring for.
Consistent interview scorecards
Capture ratings and observations against indicators established before candidates enter the room.
Evidence-based candidate views
Review comparable, weighted interview results and see trade-offs clearly—while keeping the final decision with your team.
Two ways to improve hiring: Work with J Michael Consulting for hands-on recruiting and advisory support, and explore FirstWho for tools your own team can use. FirstWho JobKits can also be used with an existing ATS or independently.
Pricing & services
Flexible Recruiting Solutions.
Transparent Value.
Every company has different hiring needs. Our recruiting solutions are designed to deliver exceptional talent, a more efficient hiring process, and measurable value—without the complexity of traditional agency models.
Direct Hire Recruiting
Targeted searches for technical professionals who can make an immediate impact.
Contract & Project Hiring
Flexible recruiting support for specialized and project-based talent needs.
Hiring Strategy & Consulting
Improve interview processes, candidate evaluation, and hiring decisions.
Recruiting Analytics
Use hiring data and performance insights to strengthen recruiting outcomes.
A welcome offer for new clients
Let's discuss your hiring needs ↗Save 25% on Your First Hire
New clients receive 25% off their first recruiting placement fee. Experience our approach to hiring while enjoying additional savings.
Fees are tailored to the role and scope of support. Contact us for a personalized proposal.
Let's talk
A better hire starts with a better conversation.
Tell us what you're hiring for—or where your hiring process is getting stuck. We'll start with a practical conversation about what would help.
josh@jmctalent.co ↗J Michael Consulting · Technical recruiting & hiring advisory