There are many challenges to meet as your startup grows, from how to increase inventory production to marketing solutions that will help you bring your products and services to a wider audience. However, few issues require more attention and forethought than hiring more staff to help you meet the demands of a larger customer base, especially if you have little experience in this area. Keeping a few hiring strategies in mind can help you staff your startup with individuals who are motivated, talented, and have the best interests of your company’s future in mind.
- Know What You Need
Before you begin the hiring process, make a list of what traits you are looking for most in new hires and what kinds of skills you are looking for. This can help you narrow down the field of applicants when the resumes start pouring in. Ask yourself a few questions, such as which qualities are most important to you in an employee, which slots you need to fill right away to cover production or marketing gaps, and what type of experience you will be looking for in any potential hires.
- Consider Job Sharing
Sometimes creative staffing solutions are necessary for your startup, especially if much of your capital is going toward the overall growth of the business. This can leave you with a limited amount of money for your employee payroll; however, job sharing may provide you with the talent you need at a price you can afford.
This tactic involves hiring individuals who have experience with multiple tasks, such as being able to handle sales and marketing, content writing and editing, or accounting and inventory. You can then adjust your team as your company continues to grow, giving multi-talented employees the chance to take a key role in the slot they feel best suits them and their career path.
- Focus on Timing
Your company is unique, so its staffing needs are not likely to follow a set pattern that some larger companies might use. While there might not be any perfect time to hire more employees, it is important to take your cues from your current staff and consider how hiring new people might affect the current culture and productivity of your startup.
Poor hiring timing can have a negative effect on your company. For example, bringing on too many new workers too fast may undermine the confidence of your present employees and slow productivity. Take your time with the hiring process so new hires can be added seamlessly, as talent acquisition serves as the foundation for a successful company.
- Foster Company Culture
Even small companies like yours have some type of culture, whether it is one of cooperation, a focus on play as well as work, or an emphasis on diversity. Ask prospective hires what they value most in a company’s culture and why they feel they would make a good addition to your team. This can help you foster and grow your company’s culture so it keeps pace with the expansion of your talent pool.
Hiring for your startup often means facing a set of unique challenges larger companies do not. However, when you have the tools to hire creatively and with confidence, you can fill your business with people who are dedicated to its growth and success.
