---
title: What candidates actually hear when you say “high bar”
description: We have a high bar for talent” sounds impressive — but what does it actually mean? This piece breaks down why vague hiring slogans fall flat and how to show candidates what makes your company truly worth joining.
image: https://satellite-talent.com/hubfs/photo-1517245386807-bb43f82c33c4.avif
---

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 Jul 31, 2025, 10:35:57 AM

# What candidates actually hear when you say “high bar”

![Picture of Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1664391475818.jpeg?width=50&name=1664391475818.jpeg) [Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/author/paul-power)

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**And how to say what you actually mean**

You’ve heard it before.

“We have a high bar for talent.”

It’s a phrase that always lands early in the process. Sometimes in the job description, sometimes five minutes into an interview. And understandably so. It sounds crisp, confident, and makes joining the company sound like some sort of exclusive club.

But for most candidates, it’s either too vague or just… confusing. 😬

Unless you explain what the bar is, it’s just noise. And for top talent with plenty of options, “our bar is super high” isn’t a helpful starting point.

### What candidates actually hear

When companies self-describe as “high bar” without explanation, candidates often interpret it as:

1. **We only consider candidates from FAANG companies.**
2. **We want someone who has already done this exact job, in this exact industry, but will be super excited to do it all over again (bonus points for less money).**
3. **We can’t agree on what we’re looking for, so you just have to be really impressive.**
4. **Our investors told us to say this.**
5. **We want you to work until 11pm every night (including weekends) and in return we’ll give you a high salary so you won’t complain.**

And hey, if that’s what you actually mean, then own it! Communicate it. 🗣️

### The problem isn’t the standards

No one is saying you can’t have high standards, but instead of defaulting to “we have a high bar,” try talking about what *actually* makes your company worth joining. And no… free snacks in the office won’t cut it.

If you genuinely want the best candidates out there, you’re going to have to make working for you worth their time.

**Here are some ideas:**

- **Async-friendly** culture so people can focus, not spend their days in endless meetings.
- **Access** to senior leadership on a regular basis.
- Proven market traction and genuinely **innovative** ideas and products (we can get into *that* word in another post 😉)
- **Impressive** benefits (money talks 🎶)
- **Hard** problems that smart people are actually excited to solve.
- **Flexibility** in where and when people work.
- **Speed**, from the hiring process to everyday decision-making.

tl;dr: self-describing as having a “high bar” is easy. Showing how you’ve earned it, is when the fun starts.

Need a hand showing candidates why you’re worth it? [That’s our specialty](https://satellite-talent.com/success-stories). 🫡

[Embedded](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded), [Recruitment](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/recruitment), [Hiring](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/hiring), [RPO](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/rpo), [Embedded Talent Partner](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded-talent-partner), [Quality of hire](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/quality-of-hire), [Startup Hiring](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/startup-hiring)

## Related posts

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[Embedded](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded), [Recruitment](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/recruitment), [RPO](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/rpo), [Embedded Talent Partner](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded-talent-partner), [Startup Hiring](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/startup-hiring), [Founder](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/founder), [Hiring Manager](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/hiring-manager)

## [Why we call ourselves Satellite Talent 📡](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/why-we-call-ourselves-satellite-talent)

![Picture of Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1664391475818.jpeg?width=50&name=1664391475818.jpeg) [Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/author/paul-power) 

 Apr 15, 2026, 11:33:34 AM

If you’ve seen the news lately, you’ll know that space is having a huge moment right now!

[Read more](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/why-we-call-ourselves-satellite-talent)

[![](https://satellite-talent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5-jobs-a-founder-should-fire-themselves-fro.png?height=200&name=5-jobs-a-founder-should-fire-themselves-fro.png)](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/5-jobs-you-didnt-know-youd-have-as-a-founder-and-why-you-should-fire-yourself-from-them)

[Recruitment](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/recruitment), [Hiring](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/hiring), [Embedded Talent Partner](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded-talent-partner), [Startup Hiring](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/startup-hiring), [Founder](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/founder)

## [5 jobs you didn’t know you’d have as a founder (and why you should fire yourself from them)](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/5-jobs-you-didnt-know-youd-have-as-a-founder-and-why-you-should-fire-yourself-from-them)

![Picture of Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1664391475818.jpeg?width=50&name=1664391475818.jpeg) [Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/author/paul-power) 

 Jun 18, 2025, 2:03:53 PM

You started out as the founder. The big picture person. The “I’ve got a vision and a Notion board”...

[Read more](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/5-jobs-you-didnt-know-youd-have-as-a-founder-and-why-you-should-fire-yourself-from-them)

[![teaming up with your dream hiring manager](https://satellite-talent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%203434036.png?height=200&name=Group%203434036.png)](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/how-to-be-a-dream-hiring-manager)

[Embedded](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded), [Hiring](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/hiring), [RPO](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/rpo), [Talent Partner](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/talent-partner), [Embedded Talent Partner](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/embedded-talent-partner), [Quality of hire](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/quality-of-hire), [Hiring Manager](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/tag/hiring-manager)

## [How to be a dream hiring manager](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/how-to-be-a-dream-hiring-manager)

![Picture of Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1664391475818.jpeg?width=50&name=1664391475818.jpeg) [Paul Power](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/author/paul-power) 

 Sep 17, 2025, 11:35:21 AM

Hiring managers, I appreciate all of you. I really do.

[Read more](https://satellite-talent.com/blog/how-to-be-a-dream-hiring-manager)

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