7 key traits I wanted my first employee to have
Building a cohesive team working towards a unified vision requires a significant effort. This is especially true for a startup company where resources are limited. As startup founders, we crave (often to the point of desperation) a motivated and dedicated team.
I’d like to share 7 key traits which I looked for in candidates when hiring my first employee.
1) Out-of-the-box thinker
For my first employee, I was looking for someone who did not display a “herd mentality”. I wanted my first employee to have freshness in his ideas, and to ooze creativity. I wanted someone who could come up with innovative but practical ideas which could be implemented without burning a hole in my pocket.
2) Makes the organisations visions and goals his own
I have always felt that an employee will work with greater passion and enthusiasm when she feels aligned to the mission and vision of the company. Employees produce the best results when they feel a sense of belonging to the company.
3) Is dedicated and committed
An ideal candidate for many companies is someone who is “plug and play”. As a company, they would like to spend less time and effort on training. However, focusing on recruiting for the right skills is not enough, as the right attitude is essential for success. Having someone who is great at producing reports but habitually delays submissions will only create stress in the working environment. Skills can be acquired, they can be taught, but old habits die hard. Look for someone who is dedicated to his/her work, someone committed to giving their best.
4) Not just looking to fill a gap
While screening for startup employees, it’s imperative to assess the candidates’ true intent. Hiring someone who is only taking up a job to fill a temporary gap or need can cost you more resources than hiring part-time interns. Such employees often take up jobs to earn some money while looking for a better opportunity. Don’t be surprised if they don’t turn up or don’t serve a notice period.
I remember many candidates who, when prodded, admitted that they were applying for the job to fund their real dream of starting a fashion website, running an NGO or paying for their travels as travel bloggers. Such candidates are unlikely to stick around for long, are they?
5) Proactive
Running a company means keeping pace with ever-changing trends. As a company, you work based on one hypothesis, only to realize that the trend has changed and a new strategy may be needed. Your team should be one that keeps up with the fast-changing competitive environment. A team needs to be proactive, taking the initiative and highlighting required changes. People with initiative also add zest and thrill to the working environment. They love challenges and welcome anything that is out of the ordinary.
6) Effective communication skills.
To be able to effectively communicate is yet another important skill I look for. Whatever the designated role of an employee, they must be able to convey their thoughts adequately. In modern business, effective communication takes many forms — mail, phone or in person. From writing a business proposal to emailing clients about a marketing scheme, a successful employee will need to be persuasive and convincing.
7) Fun, but professional
I love to work with people who have energy and zest for, life and yet are professional in their conduct. Can you imagine working day-in — day-out with a person who does not smile, laugh or make small talk with colleagues? Would you work with someone who is full of life but very unprofessional, sloppy or rude?
The ideal candidate needs to have both a sense of fun and a sense of decorum.
The traits I listed above are my own take on what I thought my first employees must have. I’d love to hear what you think the essential traits of a first employee should be in the comments below. Alternatively you can email me at Vikas@plash.in to chat more on this.
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