Areeb’s rapid growth on Paraform and making $140k+ by putting candidates first
When Areeb decided to give Paraform a try last October, he was stepping into uncharted territory. Most of Areeb’s recruitment experience was in Finland, EU, and the Middle East. He had never recruited for U.S. companies and didn’t know whether this new platform would live up to the buzz.
But he’s the kind of recruiter who invests heavily in candidates—listening, guiding, following up—and it turns out that was the perfect fit for Paraform.
So far, he’s racked up $140,000+ in total rewards, becoming one of the fastest-growing recruiters on the platform.
The first big win and gaining momentum
Shortly after joining Paraform, Areeb submitted a promising engineer. This candidate quickly advanced to the final round at a company and nearly clinched the job. Even though that first go didn’t end in an offer, it was enough to show Areeb the potential in Paraform.
Sure enough, a few weeks later, the same candidate received an offer from a different Paraform customer—and accepted.
“After that first placement, I wanted to see how much more I could accomplish. Here, in Finland (and Europe, in general), the salaries are 30-50% lower, which means fewer rewards. The most I’ve made from one single placement is about 6,500 EUR, equivalent to almost 6,800 USD. I saw Parafrom as a big opportunity.”
He was right to be ambitious: in the months that followed, he made multiple placements across different companies and roles.
Betting on relationship building
Areeb insists that genuine human connection sets top recruiters apart from everyone else.
“We’re not matching resumes with job descriptions. We’re helping people make real-life decisions that affect their happiness, career trajectory, and finances.”
What does that look like in practice?
- Listening first: He starts every candidate conversation by asking plenty of questions about their current job, their skill set, and what success means for them.
- Follow-ups: Even after a placement is made (or missed), Areeb circles back to see how candidates are doing. That helps him refine his strategy, keep the relationship warm, and stay on their radar for future roles.
- Transparency: There’s no sugarcoating or vague promises. If a candidate is on the fence about compensation, Areeb is upfront about what’s negotiable and what isn’t. If a company has a tricky interview process, he preps them.
Recruiters, the unsung heroes 🙂
In just a few months on Paraform, Areeb has made multiple engineering placements at Apriora, Mana, Kroo, and BRM (including Founding Engineers and Product Engineers).
Brian Cho @ Apriora
Brian was relocating from South Korea to the U.S. and juggling interviews at over twenty companies.
Areeb saw a chance to prove what a dedicated recruiter can do. He made time to really listen to Brian’s concerns—everything from relocation expenses to adjusting back to life in the U.S. By the time Brian had two compelling offers on the table, including one from Apriora via Paraform, he leaned on Areeb for honest input and perspective. Because they’d built genuine trust, Brian felt comfortable making the choice and joining Apriora.
Sam Gorinsky @ Kroo
Sometimes, time is the difference between landing an A+ candidate and losing them.
When Areeb met Sam, a talented engineer already fielding recruiter messages, Kroo had an opening for a founding engineer role that offered significant autonomy and growth potential.
While others took days to coordinate calls, Areeb tapped into Paraform’s direct lines of communication with the hiring team.
Sam had his first interview scheduled within hours, and he accepted Kroo’s offer in under a week.
For the company, that meant a swift hire; for Sam, it meant an exciting new opportunity without the usual drawn-out process.
Why we can’t shut up about recruiters
Areeb’s approach shows exactly why recruiters play a crucial role: they keep the wheels turning, build bridges between candidates and companies, and keep everyone focused on the human side of hiring.
From first call to final decision, Areeb makes sure candidates feel heard and hiring managers have the insights they need. He’s proving that when recruiters invest in real relationships, everyone wins.
Why Areeb loves Paraform
Areeb credits Paraform’s structure for making his rapid success possible:
- Intake calls: These aren’t obligatory checklists; they’re genuine conversations that give recruiters deep insights into a company’s personality. That helps Areeb propose candidates who align not just on skills but culture and mindset.
- Calibration tool: “Without calibration, I’d just be guessing what the hiring manager wants,” Areeb says. Paraform’s built-in feature ensures everyone’s on the same page about expectations.
- Constant feedback: Whether it’s Slack pings or phone calls, Areeb appreciates that hiring managers on Paraform treat him like a partner. “If a candidate’s off the mark, I find out why, so I can adjust immediately,” he explains.
- Ongoing rewards: Beyond placement fees, Paraform offers weekly incentives that keep recruiters engaged.
A growing network built on trust
One of the best parts of Areeb’s experience has been watching his network expand organically. By focusing on genuine conversations, he’s earned referrals from candidates who trust him to treat their friends the same way. When these new connections see how deeply he cares about their success, they stick around.
That’s how you earn $140k without coming off as pushy or sales-driven.
“I’m trying to make sure everyone walks away feeling they got value from the process—companies, candidates, and me.”
The takeaway
Areeb’s rise on Paraform shows what happens when a platform built on collaboration meets a recruiter who puts relationships above everything else. He listens carefully, communicates openly, and never stops following up.
By treating each candidate’s job search as a personal journey, he’s proven that recruiters can do more than fill roles.
“Every day feels like I’m helping someone move forward and that’s what keeps me going.”
At Paraform, we believe choosing a job is one of life’s biggest decisions—like picking a partner or deciding where to call home. It deserves the same level of care and trust. That’s why we’re changing how companies hire: total transparency for recruiters, candidates, and employers.
We put relationships first.
Drop Areeb a message on LinkedIn if you seeking for a new role in the US, and if you want a referral to work as a recruiter.
Start your search today.
Speak with our team to learn more about how Paraform can help you fill your difficult positions