What start-ups need to look out for when taking on new employees

A start-up business is only as good as the people who staff it. Sure, you have a great product and a vision for the future, but it’s going to take hard work, perseverance and a willingness to constantly go the extra mile in order to get to where you want to be.

That’s why when you come to hiring new staff it’s crucial that you get it right. You can’t afford to have someone who can just about do the job; they need to be talented, passionate, brilliant, enthusiastic and 100% committed. Perhaps most importantly, they also need to be someone you can get along with.

Do your research

A CV can only tell you so much. If a candidate seems to have the experience and skills you need, then find out a bit more about them by checking out their social media profiles. The information they post on Facebook and Twitter will give you a better idea of what they’re really like as a person, and what they will be like to work with. If they have their own website then this will also give you a broader sense of their experience and background.

Personality counts 

It’s important to look past the skills on a candidate’s CV to assess whether they have the right personality to fit in at your company. This is particularly important for a start-up, because your core team will be smaller in number and will have to rub along together in a more compact workplace. Your start-up will probably also have a singular vision, style of working and code of practise. Some candidates will get this immediately and will be a perfect fit; others will have a very different approach that, while equally valid, could cause unproductive friction within your team.

Look for issues

In interviews, look out for good eye contact and relaxed, open body language. Defensive body language and a lack of eye contact may be a sign of emotional issues that could make for a disruptive factor in your team, even if they have the right working skills. Be clear as well about your policy on alcohol and substance abuse – if a team member is abusing, this can wreck productivity and morale. Let candidates know if you have a drug testing programme in place, such as an oral fluid lab test. If someone has a problem, this may be enough to discourage them from going any further.

Good all-rounders

With a small initial crew, you’ll need people who are able to multi-task. They’ll also need to be confident and capable enough to take the initiative – and you’ll need to be confident in them doing so. You are not going to have the time to constantly supervise them and guide them through their job, but you also need to be happy with the idea of just letting them get on with it.

With a start-up, every employee counts. You cannot afford to waste time re-interviewing and re-hiring if someone doesn’t work out, so it’s best to get it right the first time. Education, experience, skills and personality are all important aspects to consider in someone who will be a crucial part of your business’s future success.