How do you hire new employees for a startup?
Patryk Pijanowski
15 replies
Hi, what is your process for hiring new people? I'm curious where do you look for them and what do you do one step at a time?
Replies
Shane Bernstein@talentmaven
There's a variety of channels including referrals (the best one), but timing is everything, and the traditional channels - job boards (post & pray), staffing firms (which are really expensive), or DIY sourcing like LinkedIn (which requires a good amount of bandwidth on a consistent basis, which most of us don't have). One of the harder challenges to land the best candidates is branding, but many of the Mid-Enterprise level companies have more resources and budget, which makes it much harder for SMB/Startups to be noticed; It's a small fish/big pond scenario. If you think it would be helpful, you're welcome to check out Rolebot (which is what we've built), For the cost of a 30-day job post, our technology helps companies hire outbound talent globally. Launch a role in minutes, receive a round of qualified candidates daily, and the system schedules interviews with those you’re interested in. (less than 10min/day time commitment) If you're interested in learning more, DM me and I'll throw in a disc code as well.
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For a startup, I'd focus on hiring people who are passionate about the company mission and excited to learn and grow. Look for self-starters with grit and versatility. Checking out thesis topics is a clever idea to gauge genuine interest! Also consider giving practical assessments to see their skills in action. Building the right early team and culture is key. But yeah, that optimism and hunger in fresh grads can be a real asset in the scrappy startup phase!
For a startup, I'd try to find people who are passionate about the problem space and mission, even if less experienced. Look at their side projects, GitHub, writing samples to get a sense of their thinking and work. Hire for potential, drive and cultural fit over just credentials. Get referrals from your network. And give promising but inexperienced hires opportunities to learn and grow with the company. The early hires really shape the culture and trajectory so choose carefully!
Interesting approach with the thesis - I like the focus on enthusiastic fresh grads! Personally, I think a mix of experienced folks and eager newcomers works well for startups. Gotta have that balance of proven skills and fresh ideas. Also super important to nail the culture fit. I always try to really get to know candidates in interviews, beyond just their resume, to see if they'll mesh well with the team and be passionate about the mission. Building that strong early team is critical! Curious what hiring approaches others have found effective for their startups?
Smart approach! Finding enthusiastic fresh grads with relevant thesis topics could bring fresh perspectives. I'd also suggest screening for culture fit, growth mindset, and key startup skills like adaptability, initiative, and collaboration. Hiring is so critical for early stage startups. Wishing you the best in building an awesome team!
Hiring for a startup can be tough! I like the thesis idea - shows genuine interest and fresh perspective. I've also heard of startups doing group interviews/auditions to see how candidates gel as a team. And def don't neglect culture fit - having engaged, positive people who believe in the mission is key in those early scrappy days. AI-based screening tools might help surface top candidates too. Just some thoughts!
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I showcase my startup life on social media, the fun, the challenges, the everyday hustle. It gives potential hires a realistic picture and attracts people who are excited to be part of the journey.
For my startup, finding the right cultural fit is crucial. Technical skills can be learned, but passion and alignment with our company values are essential.
I start by asking for referrals from people I trust, then I look for candidates on startup focused job boards. The key is to keep the process simple and personal.
To hire for a startup, I typically start by defining clear job descriptions, which helps align expectations.
Then, I use platforms like LinkedIn and job boards to attract candidates. After that, I conduct structured interviews to assess fit.
Utilizing tools like the SSS Contribution Table for Employers can also help gauge the potential benefits of hiring specific candidates.
it's pretty easy, Patryk
you just need to contact a skilled headhunter, it may help
Hey @patpijanowski , late to the party, but I have helped many a startup build their teams and absolutely LOVE this topic!
First, know what you need to hire for. I don't mean the job you need done now, I mean the job you need now and how you see that job evolving through time. Remember that when you hire, the hope is no to lay off.
Second, align that job, with a budget. Again, not just what you can afford now, but what you can realistically see yourself affording down the line.
Then, write out the job description and happy hunting!
If you want to chat this out, Id love to connect and share some resources or ideas!