7 QUALITIES START-UPS LOOK FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE
Start-ups can be some of the coolest, most innovative places to work. They’re different, purpose-led (and usually have amazing perks).
Despite their short life, start-ups can offer a long, successful career. Especially amongst tech start-ups, the growth is rapid, and employees will experience the growth with them. And this growth isn’t usually ordinary, it’s ground-breaking.
So, how can you stand out from the crowd?
Of course, like any role, meeting the job criteria is important – but since you’d be amongst probably the first 5-50 employees of that company – they’re looking for someone with a difference.
Here are 7 qualities that start-ups look for in an employee:
1. ENTREPRENEURIAL
This may seem counterproductive because you’d be an employee, right?
Yes, but you’d also be a key part of a small business, which requires a mindset far beyond just following tasks
The founder of a start-up is an entrepreneur. They think entrepreneurially and they want people around them that think entrepreneurially. This means:
Identifying opportunities to grow
Thinking outside the box
Commitment to the company’s goal
Constant self-improvement
Start-ups are companies in the first 5 years of their business, meaning each hire they make in their first 5 years is crucial to the foundation of the company. These hires aren’t just to get work done, but they’re to build a team that is pushing towards the same goal of a company that is known in the industry.
How you approach work, view business, and make the most of opportunities will tell a founder if you have an entrepreneurial mindset.
2. INNOVATIVE
Innovative, contemporary, inventive, new, original, cutting-edge.
It’s words used to describe start-ups everywhere, and they should be words used to describe their employees.
Start-ups aren’t just cool because of their funky offices, amazing marketing, and outstanding employee benefits – they’re cool because they solve a problem no one’s tried to solve before, or no one’s tried to solve THAT WAY before.
So when a start-up founder is looking to hire, they’re looking for someone who will bring something new to the table. Someone who has their core skills, whether it’s in sales, marketing, or account management, and puts their own twist on it.
If you’re someone who doesn’t like mundane approaches and instead loves brainstorming new strategies and thrives on being different – you’ll be noticed by start-ups.
Of course, these companies will have some form of process in place, but that process is constantly evolving as they learn, with their employees, what works and what doesn’t work. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to have a real say, so founders will want to know that you’re always thinking outside the box!
3. ADAPTABLE
Just like changes in processes, start-ups are changing things – a lot. It really is a lot of trial and error to ensure their service is truly valuable, and how they present it is truly beneficial.
Founders will be looking for people who can not only adapt to change – but thrive in it. They want someone who’s up to new ideas and can adjust if and when.
And this may not always be huge business changes either but it might be a new CRM system that is 10x better, or new team processes to manage workload.
4. DEDICATED
Every employer wants a dedicated employee. It’s how they know you’re going to work through tough times, you’re ambitious to succeed, and you’re committed to the company. But with start-ups, think about this even more.
Lows are inevitable in every company, but in a start-up where there are few employees – you’ll share in the lows far more. But this isn’t all bad. Start-up founders want employees who are passionate about the company and these lows will only reap improvement.
They’ll be looking for someone who not only has a great track record of resilience and hard work, but also someone who cares about the company itself where the dedication isn’t just to get a pay rise but to see the company flourish.
5. PURPOSE-DRIVEN
With many start-ups focusing on sustainability, social change, and ethical practices, it’s not a bonus if you care – it’s a necessity.
Just like being entrepreneurial, being purpose driven is about yes, doing your job, but it’s about doing your job with a true desire for change. Change in the industry, change in the company, and change in what the company is trying to achieve on a larger scale.
Showing that you care about what the company is trying to achieve in the world, whilst showing that you want to keep learning will really stand out to start-ups because it shows you’re not just wanting the job for your own gain, but to help other people along the way.
6. HUMBLE
Independence and the ability to take initiative are huge things start-ups want in an employee – but they certainly don’t want arrogance.
Being humble to learn about the company, what they’re trying to achieve and how you can help them to achieve it is crucial for your ongoing success and ability to collaborate with your colleagues and bosses.
Founders will want someone who’s confident, but they’ll also want someone who is easy to work with, communicate with, and just be friends with! Start-ups are usually small teams so they want everyone to be getting along and supporting each other.
7. TEAM-ORIENTATED
Speaking of getting along and supporting each other – your team is SUPER important.
It’s the people you work with every day, the people you ask for help, and the people you see at the annual Christmas party.
Start-ups are usually huge on culture. Founders want to create an environment where people actually enjoy coming in on a Monday. Of course, founders and directors can do as much as possible to ensure employees feel supported and happy – but if other employees don’t value their team members, it all starts to go south.
Start-ups will want to see that you’re kind. Yep, it sounds strange – but they really will be. Kindness is what makes you:
Help a colleague out when they’re stuck
Praise colleagues and acknowledge that they’re doing great
Invite a colleague out for a drink after work to catch up
Collaboration is vital in start-ups. To thrive, they need the whole team working together, and in order for them to do that – they need to get along.
- Written by Tim Macmillan
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