Getting the details right is especially important for new companies. What is the No. 1 trait you look for when bringing on a new hire at an early-stage company, and why is it so 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 each year, and create tens of thousands of jobs. Learn more at yec.co.
1. Self-sufficiency
When bringing in a new hire in an early stage company, make sure they are independent. In other words, can one carry out daily tasks without looking over one’s shoulder? If so, they might be a great fit for your organization. New business owners don’t have time to manage and monitor every task, which is why freelancers are so important.
– Damanjeet Singh, Funnel Kit
2. Compatibility
Adaptability and flexibility are critical qualities for anyone joining a team in the early stages. With any new business, priorities and processes can change quickly, and even the culture can evolve. New hires must be willing and able to change direction quickly and efficiently without much hand-holding from management.
– Samuel Saxton, ConsumerRating.org
3. Wealth
Find someone smart. While still developing vendor relationships, standard operating procedures, and internal staff, it’s important that new hires at an early-stage company have access to the right resources for quick solutions to problems without letting small things snowball into big roadblocks. Empowered individuals increase productivity significantly.
– Firas Kitaneh, Amerisleep Mattress
4. Enthusiasm
I want enthusiasm. The workload in a startup is unpredictable and varied, and only employees who are passionate about the business and the growth of their careers can thrive in such an environment. Therefore, I value the candidate’s intrinsic motivation, skills and knowledge during recruitment.
– Kelly Richardson, InfoBranch
5. Curiosity
One of the qualities I look for when recruiting new members is curiosity. I want my team members to be curious. I think curious people are smarter, more creative and more intelligent than others. They are usually interested and interested in learning and understanding more about everything.
– Andrew Munro, co-WP
6. To win a drive
There are many challenges and obstacles in the early stages of a startup, so it is important to hire employees who are motivated to overcome them. This drive helps them to be motivated and optimistic, and when challenges arise, they are willing to make things happen. I’m also looking for people who are coaches. Usually, such people are flexible and quick learners.
– Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day
7. The ability to grow in an informal setting
I’m looking for someone who thrives in an informal environment. This means they like to work where there are no formal titles or strict hierarchies. A new hire must communicate and collaborate well with others while being able to go above and beyond their primary role and responsibilities. This is important because it helps the new employee hit the ground running and bring success to everyone.
– Blair Williams, Member Pres
8. Active thinking
Proactive employees have a growth mindset. They learn quickly and are eager to find creative solutions to projects on their own rather than relying solely on instructions. In addition, they have great potential to rise quickly in the organization due to their enthusiasm and willingness to take risks and deliver results.
– Tonika Bruce, Lead Beautiful, Inc.
9. Ability to communicate well
A good communicator can bring out the best in people. They can guide and put people in ideas. They use their words to communicate and explain what they want and when they need it.
– Jennifer A. Barnes, Optima Office, Inc.
10. Be willing to ask questions
A willingness to ask questions is a key trait I value in a new hire, especially when we’re working on something new like a startup or emerging technology. A person who asks questions is a person who reflects. They are less likely to make mistakes and learn more. This also shows that they communicate well – making them valuable to entry-level companies.
– Syed Balki, WPstarter
11. The ‘Go-Getter’ Attitude
In an early-stage company, I prefer go-getters on board my team. To make an impact, I need a team that is action-oriented and gets work done on time. This ensures that the deliverables set are on track and that we are steadily moving towards our goals. To begin with, a company cannot afford any delays. So, my go-to attitude is a must-have trait when hiring.
– Jared Atchison, WPForms
12. Emotion
For the first time, everyone you recruit to build your team should be aligned with the company’s ideology and higher goals. Skills are important, but you can always develop a person when needed. There is no consensus regarding their interest and dedication to the organization’s goals. Get that right and you’ll have a team that can rally around making the business a success from day one.
– Bryce Wecker, Big 4 accounting firms
