More startups, higher risks, accelerate technology development – same talent = The perfect storm.
Let’s face it- it’s an employee market. Israel holds the title of Startup nation, but Israelis themselves – including your employees have a high fear of startup failures (a recent international study found that Israelis rank third at 60.2% among developed countries in the ‘fear of startup failure) and while there are multiple contributing factors, the outcome has the potential to cripple the industry; Employees are being more selective than ever when perusing employment opportunities.
So your top priority is assuaging those fears. What does that mean to you, the startup?
Here are the top 3 Myths preventing a CEO from seizing the next big hire:
- Marketing is just for attracting potential investors and customers.
FALSE – The majority of CEOs still think that marketing is only for business development and long as this thought process continues, startups will continue to struggle to find high-end employees.
The time to develop your marking strategy – including employees – is when you draw up your business plan. From then on, you need to create an online dialogue (mainly through social media platforms where your future employees hand around ), showing your company’s growth, direction, and vision.
You don’t have to lie and pretend to be more than you are – employees know that you’re a startup – but you need to convince them that your company is moving upward and is on track for success.
- A CEO doesn’t need to develop their personal LinkedIn page.
FALSE- Learn about a CEO, and you’ll have all the information you need to know if their business venture has potential. The buck stops with you, and your future employees want to know if they should invest their career trajectory in you and choose your company to add to their resume (yes- that is very important to them) and that you are the one they should put their trust in. Show them that you take your position as a CEO seriously, the drive to take it all the way, and the expertise to see it through.
- There is no such thing as employee branding
FALSE – Your potential employees have the luxury of being the ones to say no to you, and with the uncertainty of joining a startup, you have to give them something worth the risk.
Where do you brand your startup and yourself? Instagram is an excellent place to start. It’s a great platform to portray the environment of your company, the ‘emotional side’ if you will.
Facebook is also a good platform to use to tell potential employees about your company, for example, customer and employee stories, and more in depth content about your product, market, vision.
Abandon employee branding and watch your competitors steal all the talent.
NB: When interviewing a potential hire, keep in mind that the interview goes both ways. Potential employees spot a red flag a mile away, so be respectful; if you are running late to their meeting – let them know, encourage questions, and respond to them in a timely fashion.