12 Traits to Search for in Early-Stage Hires
4 min read
Getting the main points proper is particularly vital for newer firms. What’s the No. 1 attribute you search for when bringing a brand new rent on board in an early-stage firm, and why is it so vital?

These solutions are supplied by Younger Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only group comprised of the world’s most profitable younger entrepreneurs. YEC members symbolize practically each business, generate billions of {dollars} in income every year, and have created tens of hundreds of jobs. Study extra at yec.co.
1. Self-Sufficiency
When bringing on a brand new rent in an early-stage firm, ensure that they’re self-sufficient. In different phrases, can they carry out every day duties with out somebody trying over their shoulder? In that case, they’re in all probability a fantastic match in your firm. New enterprise homeowners not often have time to micromanage and observe up on each activity, which is why self-sufficient workers are extraordinarily useful.
2. Adaptability
Adaptability and suppleness are essential traits for anybody becoming a member of a group within the early levels. With any new enterprise, priorities and processes can change rapidly, and even the tradition can evolve. New hires have to be keen and capable of change course rapidly and effectively, with out a lot hand-holding from management.
– Samuel Saxton, ConsumerRating.org
3. Resourcefulness
Discover somebody who’s resourceful. Whilst you’re nonetheless establishing vendor relationships, customary working procedures and inside employees, it’s vital that new hires at an early-stage firm are adaptable sufficient to search out the best sources to unravel issues quick with out letting small issues snowball into massive roadblocks. Resourceful people will dramatically improve productiveness.
– Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep Mattress
4. Enthusiasm
I search for enthusiasm. The workload in a startup is unpredictable and various, and solely workers who’re enthusiastic concerning the development of each the enterprise and their profession can thrive in such an atmosphere. So, I worth the candidates’ intrinsic motivation as a lot as their expertise and data throughout recruitment.
– Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
5. Curiosity
One of many traits I search for when hiring new members is curiosity. I would like my group members to be curious. I believe curious persons are smarter, extra revolutionary and extra clever than those that aren’t. They typically have the willingness and need to study and perceive extra about the whole lot.
6. A Drive to Win
Within the early levels of a startup, there are such a lot of challenges and obstacles that you will need to rent workers who’ve the drive to win. This drive helps them be motivated and optimistic, and when challenges come, they’re greater than keen to make issues occur. I additionally search for people who find themselves coachable. Normally, such persons are adaptable and quick learners.
– Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day
7. The Potential to Thrive in an Casual Setting
What I search for is somebody who thrives in a casual setting. This implies they like working in a spot with out formal titles or strict hierarchies. A brand new rent should talk nicely and collaborate with others, even when it means going past their major function and tasks. That is vital as a result of it ensures that the brand new rent can hit the bottom operating and assist obtain success for everybody.
8. A Proactive Mindset
Proactive workers possess a growth-oriented mindset. They study rapidly and are keen to search out artistic options to tasks on their very own relatively than counting on directions alone. As well as, they’ve nice potential for rising rapidly throughout the group as a consequence of their enthusiasm and willingness to take dangers and ship outcomes.
– Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.

9. The Potential to Talk Properly
Somebody who is an effective communicator is ready to carry out one of the best in individuals. They’re able to lead and get individuals on board with concepts. They use their phrases to achieve consensus and to clarify what they want and once they want it.
– Jennifer A Barnes, Optima Office, Inc.
10. A Willingness to Ask Questions
The willingness to ask questions is a significant attribute that I worth in a brand new rent, particularly after we’re engaged on one thing new like a startup or rising expertise. An individual who asks questions is somebody who displays. They’ll be much less more likely to make errors they usually’ll study extra too. This additionally exhibits that they convey nicely — making them invaluable for early-stage firms.
11. A ‘Go-Getter’ Angle
In an early-stage firm, I would favor onboarding go-getters on my group. To make an impression, I’d want a group that’s action-oriented and will get work executed on time. This is able to make sure that the set deliverables are on observe and we’re steadily progressing towards our objective. Getting began, an organization can’t afford any delays. So, a go-getter perspective could be essential attribute for me when hiring.
12. Ardour
Each individual you recruit to construct your first-ever group should be well-aligned to the corporate’s ideologies and higher objectives. Expertise are vital, however you may all the time upskill an individual when wanted. There isn’t a compromise in relation to their ardour and dedication to the corporate’s trigger. Get that proper and you should have your self a group that rallies to make the enterprise successful from day one.
– Bryce Welker, Big 4 Accounting Firms