As a startup, attracting top talent is extremely challenging. Try these strategies out and you will win the recruiting game.
Here are seven ways that startups can set themselves apart and win in recruiting:
Use What Makes Your Startup Unique
First, consider what makes your company unique and try to infuse that into the interview process. For example, if your company values creativity and innovation, consider spending extra time having a conversation and diving deep into the candidate's psychology around creativity or innovation. Incorporating problem-solving exercises or design challenges into the interview could also be helpful. This not only allows candidates to showcase their skills, but also gives them a taste of the type of work they would be doing if they were to join your team.
Offer A More Flexible and Personal Experience
Instead of doing the traditional tech interviews that everyone hates, consider conducting interviews centered on problems that your team faced, are facing now, or will face in the future. Alternatively, you noticed on the candidate's resume something that really stands out. Ask them about it! See what they learned from it, how they learned it, and evaluate to see if that candidate can bring the same passion for the role. This allows candidates to get a more personal interview experience.
Educate Candidates About Your Startup
Many talented individuals are hesitant to join a startup because they are unfamiliar with the company and the industry. It's important to spend time educating candidates about your startup, its mission, values, culture, industry, and, most importantly, about your team. Do not put a time limit on this educational step. The more the candidate knows about your startup and understands it the more likely they will join. This step will also really help the candidate understand the piece of the pie the company is growing.
Have Good Energy Throughout The Process
It's no secret that startups are stressful, but the hiring process does not need to be! Lead your team that is doing recruiting, and show them how to add energy into the process. This will make your process stand out. Energy adds personality to your startup brand and gives off a sense of earnestness from the team. This will help candidates feel the passion and vibes of your team.
Bring Effort
Your team should be passionate about what you're doing and excited about the opportunity to work with your company. Make sure that this enthusiasm comes through in your recruitment process. You don't want candidates to feel like they're just another number, that you don't care about them, or, even worse, that nobody likes coming into work.
Customize the Problem the Candidate Will Solve
Each role that you are hiring for will have unique problems. Speaking on that unique problem to candidates gives a lot of helpful context. This will interest candidates that want to help you fix that unique problem. Often times larger companies do not communicate problems to the level of detail that you can go. The more you share about the problem the more it shows the candidate that you and your team are serious about what you do.
Offer a Specific Roadmap For Personal Growth
Candidates want to know what their career path will look like at your company. By offering a roadmap for growth and development, you will attract top talent who are looking for opportunities to advance their careers in specific and measured areas. You don't have to share everything that you are planning, but you also do not want to be a gatekeeper and limit people's imagination.
Be Consistent in Your Messaging and Branding
Startups often have a lean team, which means that every team member plays a critical role in shaping the company's culture and brand. Make sure to consistently communicate your values and mission to candidates, and be transparent about the challenges and opportunities they can expect to encounter while working at your company. This is important because you want to show that your startup is run by good, relatable people.
Be Transparent
No company is perfect, and candidates appreciate honesty. By being upfront about everything, you'll attract individuals who are willing to roll up their sleeves and help build a successful business.
By focusing on these key areas, startups can set themselves apart and win in the competitive world of recruiting even if the startup is short on resources or the reputation of larger companies.
You will build a winning recruiting program over time, but don't be a stranger as we are only one call away. Great Orange Duck has a proven 11 step process that has led to us hiring 100s of engineers across tech, and we want to help you do the same by hiring your new teammates for you.