Getting the details right is especially important for new companies. What characteristics do you value most when hiring new employees for early-stage companies, and why is it important?
These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs each year.Click here for details yec.co.
1. Self-sufficiency
When hiring new employees in an early stage company, make sure they are self-sufficient. In other words, can you go about your daily business without someone looking over your shoulder? If so, they’re probably a good fit for your company. New business owners rarely have time to micromanage and follow up on all their tasks. That’s why self-sufficient employees are so helpful.
2. Adaptability
Adaptability and flexibility are important traits for those joining the team in the early stages. In a new business, priorities and processes can change rapidly, and even culture can evolve. New hires must be willing and able to change direction quickly and efficiently without too much help from their leaders.
– Samuel Saxton, ConsumerRating.org
3. Witty
Find a resourceful person. While you’re still establishing vendor relationships, standard operating procedures, and internal staff, new hires in early-stage companies can solve problems quickly without small things snowballing into big obstacles. It’s important to be flexible enough to find the right resources to help you. Resourceful individuals dramatically improve productivity.
– Philas Kitane, amelie sleep mattress
4. Enthusiasm
Seek enthusiasm. Startup workloads are unpredictable and diverse, and only employees who are passionate about both business and career growth can thrive in such an environment. So when hiring, we focus on the candidate’s intrinsic motivation as much as their skills and knowledge.
– Kelly Richardson, infobrands
5. Curiosity
One of the traits I look for when hiring new members is curiosity. I want my team members to be interested. I believe that people who are curious are smarter, more innovative, and more intelligent than those who are not. They often have a drive and desire to learn and understand all things.
6. Drive to Victory
With so many challenges and obstacles in the early stages of a startup, it’s important to hire employees who are motivated to win. This drive helps them to be motivated and optimistic, and when the going gets tough, they are willing to make things happen. Usually such people are adaptable and quick to learn.
– candice georgiadis, digital day
7. Ability to succeed in an informal environment
I’m looking for someone who can succeed in a casual environment. This means they prefer to work without formal titles or strict hierarchies. New employees must go beyond their original roles and responsibilities to communicate and collaborate well with others. This is important to ensure new hires get off the ground and ensure everyone’s success.
– Blair Williams, member press
8. Positive thinking
Engaged employees have a growth-oriented mindset. They learn quickly and are eager to find creative solutions to projects on their own rather than relying solely on instructions. In addition, their enthusiasm and willingness to take risks and deliver results has great potential for rapid ascent within the organization.
– tonica blues, Lead Nicely Co., Ltd.
9. Communication skills
A good communicator can bring out the best in people. They can lead and involve people with ideas. They use their own words to reach consensus and explain what they need and when they need it.
– Jennifer Burns, Optima Office Co., Ltd.
10. Willingness to ask questions
Asking questions proactively is an important trait I value in new hires. Especially if you’re working on something new like a startup or rising technology. People who ask questions are people who reflect. They are less likely to make mistakes and will learn more.
11. Positive attitude
Early stage companies like to onboard enthusiastic people to their team. To make an impact, you need a team that is action-oriented and gets the job done on time. This ensures that the set deliverables are on track and that you are making steady progress toward your goals. Starting off, the company cannot afford any delays. So, a positive attitude is a must-have trait in my hiring.
12. Passion
Everyone you hire to build your first-ever team should be well aligned with your company’s ideology and larger goals. Skills are important, but you can always upskill them if you want. Their passion and dedication to the company’s cause is uncompromising. That way, you’ll have a team that rallies to make your business successful from day one.
– Bryce Welker, Four major accounting firms
