[pcthrowaway]

Pretty sure I got rejected from TopTal the other day because I didn't have a decent headshot.

Just uploaded the first photo I could find that fit the size requirements.

Got a rejection email and took a look at other profiles, only to realize they were all using 'professional' looking headshots (which I'm sure reflects better on Toptal)

I have 9 YoE in software and an in-demand skillset, so I think it was the headshot. It's possible they really just have an influx of people now with all the layoffs, but I was signing up because of a recruiting email I had received from them days earlier saying my skills were in demand and they were trying to grow their network