My first instinct (as a developer) is that if someone is difficult to find, it's quite possible that they're not interested in being found. If they were looking for a job, they'd be visible.
Not so sure about that. A lot of talented engineers are already in a job. They might be receptive to looking at another job for a period of months or years, but never actually looking. So a lot of the skill in recruitment is reaching those engineers with opportunities that will entice them to consider a move. Yes, sometimes this happens via aggressive recruiters, but it can also happen via "softer" approaches like publicity, sposnsorship, advertising etc.
Not so sure about that. A lot of talented engineers are already in a job. They might be receptive to looking at another job for a period of months or years, but never actually looking. So a lot of the skill in recruitment is reaching those engineers with opportunities that will entice them to consider a move. Yes, sometimes this happens via aggressive recruiters, but it can also happen via "softer" approaches like publicity, sposnsorship, advertising etc.