Laurie Jane Roth
Laurie Jane Roth is the founder of DSN-IT, a technology staffing firm she has led for over a decade, and The Inside Game, a coaching practice focused on interview performance and career positioning. With more than 25 years inside IT recruiting, Laurie brings a rare insider’s perspective on how hiring decisions are actually made and why strong candidates often get overlooked.
Over her career, Laurie has placed thousands of professionals in high-impact security and infrastructure roles. That experience now informs her coaching work, where she helps candidates cut through noise, communicate their value with precision, and show up clearly under pressure in interviews. After years as a top producer in a commission-only recruiting environment, Laurie shifted her focus toward coaching as hiring processes became more opaque, competitive, and automated. Her work bridges strategy and execution translating real hiring behavior into practical frameworks candidates can use immediately.
Recognized by Influential Women for the 2026 edition, Laurie is known for helping professionals understand the system behind the decision, not just polish their materials. Her philosophy is simple: clarity beats effort, structure beats confidence, and performance under pressure is a skill that can be trained.
• Quincy College
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to time in the trenches and a deep empathy for the candidate, especially the underdog. After more than 2 decades of inside real hiring decisions, I understand how capable people get overlooked and how pressure distorts performance. That combination of firsthand hiring insight and empathy allows me to cut through noise, recognize patterns quickly, and help people communicate their value clearly when it matters most.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Learn the system before you try to beat it. It’s like football, you have to catch the ball before you can run with it.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust yourself sooner. Don’t wait for permission. Learn how the system works, build strong communication skills, and find a niche where your value is clear. Hard work matters, but clarity and confidence are what carry you through challenging environments.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Hiring has become faster on the surface and slower underneath. Technology filters more candidates out, while decision-making takes longer and feels less transparent. The opportunity is guiding professionals through that gap helping them understand the system, position themselves clearly, and perform well when it matters most.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, clarity, and service matter most to me. In my work, that shows up as honesty, direct guidance, and accessibility. In my personal life, I value balance and resilience staying grounded through my yoga practice so I can show up fully for the people I help.