8 Hiring Tips to Help Startups Build Winning Teams

One of the most important ingredients in your recipe to make your business a success is to find and secure the right people to help bring your vision to life and make it shine. 

Choosing the wrong person can be even more costly as it can set your plans back or possibly be a catalyst to failure. Which we all know is not an option when you are on your startup mission. 

So here are some tips to make sure this process is geared for success. 
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Tip 1: What is the impact needed by bringing this person onboard?

Dont just hire for the sake of hiring, really understand what you need out of this role and what impact do they need to make in your business. From here you can outline the job description (JD) and what the ideal persons background would look like to make them a success in this opportunity. 
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Tip 2: Who needs to be part of the decision making process

Identify your recruitment process and who needs to be involved in interviewing / hiring this person. Make sure you are aligned on the impact and the JD. Then keep your process streamlined, we recommend at most 3 stages. If you can do 2 then that is even better!
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Tip 3: What is your recruitment strategy to find someone?

As a first point of call leverage your network to find someone recommended. Ascertain if you have time to put on a recruiter hat to find someone or whether your time would be best served to outsource the function to a few key partners to find a shortlist for you. 
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Tip 4: Interviewing strategy 

Its important to ascertain whether this person would fit within the culture and dynamic you are creating coupled with the right skills and attitude to make the impact you need. Understand where they have come from and what impact they have had previously. Ask scenario and competency based questions where possible. Get their opinion on how they see themselves adding value to the organization. But don't just ask questions, make sure you share your vision and get them excited about why they should join you. Let them interview you to establish buy in.
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Tip 5: Trust your gut

Intuition is a powerful thing, if you have unanswered questions set up another call to hash them out. Don't be afraid to ask for references where necessary. Ultimately know they while you are taking a risk on hiring them, they are also taking a risk to leave where they are and work for you. So find good common ground and set clear expectations and objectives. Assess both the attitude, skill and learning agility of the individual. This is a winning recipe. 

Tip 6: Candidate experience is key

Make sure you give feedback to candidates and recruitment partners along the way, disgruntled candidates like to complain and this can sway future players away from your company. Its okay to decline a candidate, but remember they spent time out of their day as well, so common courtesy to let them know they were unsuccessful and possible feedback is welcomed in the search over being ghosted. 
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Tip 7: Onboarding

A solid onboarding can be the difference between the person hitting the ground running from day one or walking out the door in the next 3 months. Make sure you are ready for their start - computer set up and ready, and all tools needed at their disposal. Take them through the company vision, mission and values again. Go through your expectations and the impact you are looking for again. Introduce them to the players in the business and make sure you check in with them to see how they are settling. 
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Tip 8: Future proof and pipeline where possible

Anticipate future head count needs and ear mark talent where possible. Promotion from within is always a good first point of call and showcases you grow people and their careers. Another great strategy is hiring junior or grad level candidates and training them up to be ready to take the full reigns of the role you had in mind for next year. These individuals never forget who gave them their start and tend to be extremely loyal to the company. 
Remember, the secret to success lies in the people you choose.

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Follow these 8 tips, and you’ll be cooking up a recipe for success that’s pure fire!

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