Start-up founders – How do you judge whether a candidate will be a “good fit”? Is it possible to have both “fit” and “diversity”?
Last year I interviewed more than 50 hiring managers and HR recruiters about their hiring process. The one thing that came up in every interview was the importance of finding someone who would be a “good fit.”
“So what exactly is a good fit?” I asked. They would stammer, searching for words.
I changed the question – “What are you looking for when you’re looking for fit?”
Eventually a few themes emerged – “fit” meant the degree to which they believed the candidate matched the existing group with respect to:
- work ethic
- sense of humor
- friendliness
In other words, someone similar to the existing team, someone who won’t “disrupt the vibe.”
Any corporate HR folks reading are probably screaming “unconscious bias” at this point, which isn’t wrong.
But FIT is also about a sense of belonging, a resonance with one’s team members that leaves a person feeling valued and understood.
When hiring, Founders need to aim for both FIT and DIVERSITY:
- Fit is critical for a productive, cohesive team – and retention.
- Diversity decreases the risk of developing market-critical blind spots and increases the company’s appeal to a diverse talent pool.
So how can you do both?
One key to achieving both Fit and Diversity is defining FIT in terms of the company mission and values. Values transcend race, gender, age, and professional competence.
Is your company about social impact? maximizing profit? saving lives? saving time? increasing equity? Whatever the mission, look for candidates that light up when they think or talk about it. The shared mission is the core of the new culture you will build together.
In the short-term, however, be prepared to have your vibe disrupted for a while. That’s how you’ll know the new hire is also bringing something new, filling a gap, and expanding the company’s capacity for growth.
If you’re a growing startup, Follow me for more tips on hiring and onboarding new team members to build a powerhouse team.
