Top 5 Roles Creative and Tech Startups Are Hiring in 2025
Discover the 5 most in-demand roles creative and tech startups are hiring for in 2025—and what it takes to attract the right talent in a competitive market.
HIRING TRENDS & TALENT INSIGHTS
Rheaction
6/1/20252 min read
Hiring in 2025 looks a lot different than it did just five years ago.
Startups are leaner. Candidates are smarter. And job titles? They’re evolving fast.
If you’re scaling a creative, product, or operations team this year, you need to know what roles are in demand—and how to stand out to the people you want to hire.
Based on what we’re seeing in the market, here are the top 5 roles startups are prioritizing in 2025, along with insight into what candidates are actually looking for.
1. Product Designers (UI/UX)
Why they’re hot:
With product-led growth models still on the rise, great design = business value. Startups are investing early in user experience to differentiate fast—and reduce churn later.
What candidates want:
Design ownership, not just pixel pushing
A say in product roadmap decisions
Clear feedback loops & mentorship
Tip:
Portfolios matter more than résumés. Evaluate thinking, not just visuals.
2. Front-End Developers (React, Next.js)
Why they’re hot:
Speed to market is everything—and front-end engineers are the bridge between design and delivery. Candidates who can implement beautiful, accessible, and responsive interfaces are in high demand.
What candidates want:
Modern stacks (Next.js, Tailwind, TypeScript)
Collaboration with design/product teams
Flexibility in work style and tooling
Tip:
Don’t default to coding tests. Start with a conversation—and show respect for their time.
3. Product Managers (Early-Stage or Generalist PMs)
Why they’re hot:
Founders are realizing they can’t scale without a PM who can prioritize, translate, and execute. Especially for first-time tech founders, this role is critical.
What candidates want:
Autonomy with accountability
Strong alignment with leadership vision
A real product to shape—not just manage
Tip:
Look for PMs who can operate in ambiguity and build from zero, not just ship features.
4. Operations & People Leads
Why they’re hot:
Behind every fast-moving startup is a rock-solid operator. From onboarding and vendor management to hiring and culture building, early-stage teams are investing in internal structure earlier.
What candidates want:
A seat at the table (not just executing tasks)
Tools and authority to improve systems
A team that values operations as strategic
Tip:
Hire operators like you'd hire PMs—they’re building the internal product.
5. Content & Growth Marketers
Why they’re hot:
Even the best product can’t sell itself. Startups are hiring content-first marketers who can build trust, educate, and convert—often before there's even a sales team in place.
What candidates want:
Freedom to experiment with channels and voice
Visibility into product goals
Strong founder-brand alignment
Tip:
Give them early access to product insights—great content starts with context.
How to Attract These Candidates in 2025
No matter what role you’re hiring for, top candidates today want three things:
Transparency: Realistic role scopes and honest expectations
Growth: Clear feedback, learning opportunities, and career pathing
Connection: A team and mission they can believe in
At Rheaction, we help startups craft job descriptions, shape candidate experience, and close offers faster—because the best hiring isn’t about speed alone. It’s about clarity + care.
Looking to hire for one of these roles?
We specialize in helping growing teams find the right talent in product, design, tech, and operations.
