A recent Nature article by Linda Nordling presents six key findings from a survey of over 1,100 laboratory leaders in academia and industry about their hiring practices. Industry hirers reported an improvement in applicant quality compared to previous years, while academic recruiters reported a decline. Survey respondents also shared the worst mistakes candidates make when applying to jobs, the greatest of which was demonstrating a lack of knowledge about the workplace’s research. The survey revealed that cold applications are common and often effective and that many hirers rely on their networks for recruitment. Few recruiters–especially in academia–use AI in their hiring processes. Additionally, the survey found that “soft skills” like communication and teamwork could be decisive factors when the top candidates for a role have similar technical qualifications and experience.