The Hiring Process

Another exciting thing about working for a startup is that we must go through the process of hiring people. It's something the other Director and I take extremely seriously because we only have funding for 1 other body, so that person really needs to be the whole package and bring a hell of a lot to the table. Picking the wrong person can be more of a burden than they are worth, as so many people are used to the corporate lifestyle where they have a very limited job description and are basically paid to fill a seat. Startups do not have this luxury, and ours is more demanding than most because you need to treat it like your own enterprise.

After a month of interviewing, starting, and ending the hiring process, I truly think we've seen it all: arrogant PhDs who think they're above it all, energetic, happy-go-lucky types who are completely unreliable, people who don't understand that we're not a corporation and do not have extremely deep pockets, and grown men who can not take criticism and completely refuse to return any sort of communication when faced with such.

I think if I were better at breaking up with people, I'd be better at the whole "we've decided not to go forward with you" situation. How do you explain to someone that they're not a good fit? That their values aren't quite in line with what you need to be successful and that there's so much at stake - one shot at getting the right person on board where you need the person to listen and not be a know it all, but be mature enough to roll with the punches and there isn't time to train and mold and dictate every little action that must be taken. A self-thinker, a motivated and brave individual who is not just willing to put the work in, but able to do so on their own initiative, and presentable enough to relay with the other people on their team at the drop of a hat with absolute competence and precision. It's asking a lot, but like I said.. we have one shot at getting it right.