Everything is a data point: acknowledge, investigate, fix what’s real, and be honest about tradeoffs and constraints.

Negative comments are feedback from the market—ignore them and they amplify. Start by categorizing: true issues you can fix, true tradeoffs you must own, and misunderstandings you can clarify. Acknowledge the reality, explain what’s changing (or why constraints exist), and avoid overpromising. Then update your employer messaging so candidates aren’t surprised by the same friction points. The non-fluffy move is transparency: accurate expectations + proof of improvement reduces mis-hires and increases trust with the right candidates.