Second Talent Reviews & Provider Details

Name: Second Talent
Rating: 4.9 (166 reviews)

Second Talent handles sourcing, screening, contracts and payroll for US startups that want to hire AI-native engineers and specialists from Asia. Clients share the role and stack they need, and Second Talent sends a shortlist of screened candidates, usually within a day. Screening covers technical skills, English, and how candidates use AI coding tools and AI Agents. Most engineers work a shifted schedule to overlap with US hours. Engineers are employed through Second Talent's own entities in nine Asian markets, so you pay one monthly invoice, starting at $29 an hour, with no fee until you hire. If a hire doesn't work out in the first 90 days, Second Talent finds a replacement. Since 2023, Second Talent has helped Adobe, Truckstop, Tom Ferry, Animoca Brands, Lacoste and Neopets build AI-native engineering teams in Asia. Second Talent was founded in 2023 and is based in San Francisco.

Seller

Second Talent

Discussions

Second Talent Community

Languages Supported

English

Services Offered

Contracting, EOR & Payroll, Global Hiring

Locations Serviced

United States

Overview by

Elton Chan

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User Insights

Average based on 166 real user reviews.

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Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

12/4/2025

"Reliable partner for US-aligned engineering support"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

The alignment with our working hours has genuinely improved our team's velocity, but the thing that surprised us most is how consistent their communication is. Their team responds within minutes whenever we need a check-in, clarification or adjustments. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Nothing major so far. Maybe having more insight into their upcoming talent availability so we can plan future capacity earlier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Second Talent solving and how is that benefiting you?

Our engineering team needed contributors who could collaborate with us in real time during US hours, especially for product releases where timing is critical. Before working with them, we often had delays simply because we were waiting for feedback or code handoff from teams in other time zones. With Second Talent, the engineers work fully within our schedule, which has eliminated those gaps. Tasks move from discussions to review much faster and our sprint cycles feel noticeably smoother. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Defense & Space

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/28/2026

"Proactive, Responsive Account Management That Keeps Things Running Smoothly"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

Their account management is proactive and responsive. They check in regularly and help resolve issues quickly if anything comes up Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

A simple dashboard to track ongoing engagement would be a nice addition Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/16/2026

"Outstanding Responsiveness and Fast, Helpful Replies"

4.5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

The responsiveness really stands out. Whether it’s a quick clarification or a bigger adjustment, their team replies fast and keeps things moving. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Nothing major so far, the experience has been consistent. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Evan A.

VP of Technology

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

12/20/2025

"Solid Engineering Capacity for US Teams at a Great Value"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

How quickly they can share profiles and they’re usually strong fits. The time zone alignment has been a huge win, especially for our product team Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Not much. The experience so far has been consistently positive Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Second Talent solving and how is that benefiting you?

We run all product discussions, standups, and sprint reviews during US hours. Second Talent provided engineers who naturally align with that schedule, removing a lot of friction we faced with other platforms in the past. It’s also been more cost effective than similar platforms we explored in LATAM and Eastern Europe Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Yuki Y.

Human Resources Assistant

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

10/29/2025

"Smooth Experience and Professional Support, Minor Delays in Updates"

4/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

What I like most is how smooth and professional everything is, from onboarding to communication. They make it easy to focus on my work without worrying about admin or coordination issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Sometimes, communication or updates can take a bit of time, which makes it hard to plan ahead. But overall, the Second Talent team is responsive when I reach out and always tries to help solve issues quickly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Esa W.

Recruitment Consultant

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

8/7/2025

"Seamless Cross-Border Hiring Made Simple"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

They’re fast, responsive, and the quality of candidates is consistently good. I also like that they handle everything end-to-end—from sourcing to payroll—so I don’t have to coordinate with multiple vendors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

So far, the experience has been smooth, but I think they could improve their platform interface to make tracking candidates and onboarding progress more transparent without always needing to ask the team directly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Second Talent:

If you’re looking to build a remote tech team in Southeast Asia without the hassle of setting up entities or managing local compliance, Second Talent is a solid option. Just be clear about your hiring needs and timelines—they move fast, so it helps to be prepared. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Second Talent solving and how is that benefiting you?

Second Talent makes it easier to find and hire skilled developers across Southeast Asia without dealing with local hiring headaches. They handle sourcing, onboarding, and payroll, which really saves time and helps my clients build their teams faster without setting up a local entity. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Tra N.

Founder

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

8/5/2025

"Review for Ms. Linh (HR at Second Talent)"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

I appreciate most about Second Talent is the exceptional support I receive from their HR team, especially Ms. Linh. She is always available to answer my questions, provide guidance, and help resolve any issues quickly and professionally. Her dedication and kindness make the whole experience smooth and stress-free. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Honestly, I don’t have anything to dislike about Second Talent. My experience has been very positive so far. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Second Talent:

If you are considering Second Talent, I highly recommend reaching out and connecting with their team. They are extremely supportive, responsive, and genuinely care about your success. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Second Talent solving and how is that benefiting you?

I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Linh from Second Talent, and I can confidently say she is one of the most dedicated HR professionals I have ever met. No matter the time or situation, Ms. Linh is always ready to support me - whether it’s answering questions, providing guidance, or simply checking in to make sure everything is going smoothly. Thank you, Ms. Linh, for always being there and making a real difference! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nathan S.

Project Delivery Manager

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

1/11/2026

"Proactive Support with Fast Turnaround"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

Fast responsive time and great account management. The team understands urgency and follows up without being asked Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Additional tooling to track ongoing progress would be helpful Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Julia S.

General Manager

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

1/21/2026

"Strong Engineers with Minimal Oversight Required"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

Talent quality and fast responsive time. Any adjustment requests are handled quickly Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

Nothing significant at this point. Our collaboration is going well Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Automotive

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

Originally submitted 5/8/2025

"Dependable and Fast Source for Engineering Talent"

5/5

What do you like best about Second Talent?

Second Talent stands out for its impressive efficiency and trustworthiness. Their streamlined approach makes it easy to communicate our requirements and quickly get connected with the right professionals. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Second Talent?

There’s very little to critique. If anything, their swift turnaround times can require prompt internal coordination, which may be a slight challenge. Still, this is a small trade-off for the exceptional service they deliver. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Second Talent:

If you're considering Second Talent, I highly recommend them for their speed, reliability, and ability to deliver top-tier engineering talent. They've been a valuable partner in helping us scale quickly and effectively. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Second Talent solving and how is that benefiting you?

Second Talent helps us quickly find and onboard top engineering talent, solving the challenge of hiring delays. Their speed and quality have boosted our productivity and allowed us to scale efficiently without compromising timelines. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.