“Our assets walk out of the door each evening. We have to make sure that they come back the next morning.” A Businessman like Mr. Narayan Murthy always knew the importance of hiring the right people for the organization. Employees of an organization are either the cause of its success or, are the reason for its failure. Hiring in a start-up is a bit different from that of a company. A start-up, not only, requires skills but also some dedication in the employee. We have made a list of 5 qualities to look for a suitable start-up hire.
1. Loyalty
The people you hire for the start-up should be trustworthy and loyal. They will represent the organization and it is important for you to rely on them. It is better to do a proper reference check during the hiring process. A bit of extra effort will save you from an unwanted inconvenience, in case the employee turns out to be someone who you can’t hire.
2. Resilience
The schedule , of a start-up, may frequently exceed the 9-5 routine. It is important to have people who can adjust themselves according to the needs of the organization. Many employees view this as an opportunity to learn and grow. And they are the people you must hire. The life of a start-up revolves around a dynamic environment. So, it is preferable to hire employees who’re willing to roll up their sleeves and work.
3. Skills
This is the fundamental quality that you must look for during a start-up hire. The person you hire should knowledgeable and adept. Many organizations conduct a quiz to check the awareness level among the recruiters. Passion should always be backed with strong skills. These skills are necessary to get the job done. So, always look for the specific skills that are required for the job.
4. Dedication
Skills do not necessarily ensure success unless they’re backed with passion. Look for an employee who genuinely loves taking up a responsibility. The dynamic environment that a start-up functions in requires dedication along with effort. When the going gets tough, only the people with a passion survive. A candidate without dedication is not likely to be a good employee.
5. Intrapreneurship
An Intrapreneur has the attitude and personality of an entrepreneur. He/She strives to make the organization a better place. Candidates who are eager to improve the company turn out to be very useful in the long-run. They are creative and innovative people who work for the benefit of the organization. So,choose a candidate with appropriate intrapreneurial skills!
Fellow entrepreneurs, what do you look while hiring for your startup? Let us know in the comments.
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I have been hiring for my startup and I am thoroughly disappointed with the candidates I get. No one wants to learn new things and not take any responsibility. Even the people who have just started don't want to grow. Everybody wants to just come, work little, take pay and go back to home.
Hi Gaurav, how did you find people to work for your startup? What is said is true of most of the people, but facebook groups seems to be doing a good job of matchmaking startups and potential hires. Did you give a try?