Start-Up and Its Talents

A startup's team can determine whether it succeeds or not, so it is key to build it gradually and choose only the people who best fit the desired profile: someone who not only excels in their field, whose knowledge and experience make them the perfect person to perform the job; but who is also willing to accept the way and pace of work that a startup requires. Working at a startup demands a lot from its team. Often it will involve long hours, and the salary will not be the best. In return, it offers working for a cause, being part of something you believe in, feeling fulfilled with work that, moreover, if successful, can offer many benefits. But how do you attract those people? How do you attract talent to a startup and retain it? Here are 4 tips: 1. Let them know who you are. If the goal is to attract them, to have them approach the startup themselves if possible, it is essential that they know of its existence. The marketing and public relations machine has to be working from the start: you have to make yourself seen at industry events, do a lot of networking, share a lot through social media and the startup's blog, appear in the media, etc. 2. Let them talk about you, but only good things. The first step comes with a clarification: here that maxim of “let them talk about you, even if it's bad, but let them talk” does not apply. The idea is to turn the startup into something attractive, a place where these potential employees would want to work, so that they choose this startup over other job offers they may have. If what they know about your startup is not positive, it will be much more difficult. 3. You are not offering a job, you are offering a cause. This part is key: it is very likely that, as a startup just starting out, you cannot offer the best conditions, but that is not even the most important thing. There is no need to insist that you offer free fruit or that there is a foosball table in the office. The reason someone will want to work there is because they share a vision, a cause to work for. Why will your startup change the world? Convince your interviewee and they will accept the job. 4. The search never stops. Even if at this very moment you have all job positions filled at your startup, do not let your guard down. The three previous points serve so that as soon as you need someone, the search is easier. You may even already know, without needing an interview, who that person you want to hire is. If you have done things right, that person will join the startup's team without a moment's hesitation.