Where do startup companies find employees?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38454

by transburgh • 19 years ago

5 9 19 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

We're looking for the best strategies for finding people for our startup. What have you found was the most effective?

Are you in school or recently graduated? Try talking to your school buddies. Chances are they're at a stage where they don't like the idea of working for a big company anyway.

If you're currently working at another company, you can approach co-workers who are your friends. But be very careful with this... This could be used as evidence that you are violating an IP or non-compete agreement.

If neither of those works, might want to check out computer science career fairs at a few of the good universities. Some of the guys graduating could be quality hackers willing to take risk.

The traditional means recruiters use to get Sr people (like LinkedIn) might turn up people who cost too much (and generally suck), but could still be worth a shot.

Good luck.

darius• 19 years ago

Try posting your job opportunity in places like this one. I'm sure there are people interested in startups that read yc news but that are not working on a startup right now.

jmtame• 19 years ago

The startup I was in looked primarily towards referrals from the investors and the existing employees. We also submitted a gig to the 37 Signals board, and I think there were some good candidates there. Most of those people seem to be on top of their game and favor the simplicity and ease that 37 Signals preaches (which I consider to be a very good thing).

pg• 19 years ago

In the most successful startups the first employees are usually people the founders knew in school.

In fact, that's probably the main reason startup hubs tend to form around universities.

staunch• 19 years ago

Co-worker friends might be as popular as school friends. Bbig tech organization spawn new companies when some of the employees break off to do their own thing.

steve• 19 years ago

correlation/causation?

It seems to me that the answer is always "find someone from your school or else you're doomed." I give up on that.

pumper• 19 years ago

I'm struggling with the same thing. A post i wrote recently (http://www.pumperknickel.com/?p=300) covers a couple of suggestions.

To date I've had most success with craigslist ads. Cheap at $75. But you need to be very clear (not like your typical job ad) in your posting to make sure you really get what you need.

Good luck!

electric• 19 years ago

Are you an early-stage, pre-VC startup? If so then the only people crazy enough to join you are the people who trust you. Friends might end up working with you and friends will vouch for you.

dshah• 19 years ago

Though it takes a fair amount of time, I've found that a blog is a good place to recruit (as it provides potential recruits some insight into the company).

Where do startup companies find employees?

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