Recruiting Startup Staff [Expert Insights]

When you're working around the corner from names like Facebook and Google, and surrounded by up and comers trying to imitate their success, it can be difficult to brand your company's HR strategy uniquely and consistently.

Funzio is a startup operating out of the Silicon Valley, that develops multi-platform games. It has achieved a high measure of success, with an impressive 7.5 million players. 

Director of HR at Funzio, Ricky Fiel, acknowledged, "It's a hot market out there." With such a high level of competition between numerous startups, differentiation from others operating under similar platforms and goals can be a difficult feat to achieve. He noted, "A lot of companies we're competing against are looking for the same talent."

At Funzio, Fiel said, "the vision is very high." Standards for employment, he believes, can make the difference in standing out against other startups.  

"I want someone who's not just willing to come in and collect a pay cheque," he explained. "I want someone to come in to thrive, to try new horizons, to be a forward thinker."

Fiel added, "That's how you separate the apples from the apples."

Recruiting from highly accomplished companies is one means of fulfilling this requirement, something which is dependent on the ability to "upsell your value." However, according to Fiel, this isn't always the best way to promote high performance for staff. 

"I'm not really a big fan of bringing in someone [from a larger company]… That can change the dynamic of the company, the culture of the company," Fiel said. 

The challenges associated with small businesses are far different than those faced by larger corporations. Employees accustomed to the typical 8-5 working day may not merge well with the demands of an emerging and rapidly growing business. 

As a company with major weekly releases, Funzio employees must have a high level of dedication and a strong work ethic. "If you wanted to get your feet wet, willing to roll up the sleeves, this is a company for you," Fiel said, a merit which applies across many hard-working startups. 

Rather than looking externally for strong employees, he believes a focus on internal development is far more effective. 

When hiring, Fiel said, "I usually ask people… what are your top motivators? And number two, do you want to grow and thrive in the organization?"

"I'd rather, again, promote within the organization," he continued. "My job is to build up the team that's current… and promote them to be a great leader within the company."

From the onset of employment, Funzio provides training and tools for those with higher aspirations. Those who wish to move up in the company are highly encouraged to do so. 

Fiel concludes that the basis of startup success rests on "the notion of hiring the right people, in the right place, at the right time from the very beginning." 

While it may seem that high-level employees are a talent to be recruited from outside an organization through the struggle of endless self-promotion, some internal reflection may reveal gems just waiting to shine. Ask not only what your employee can do for you, but what you can do for your employee, and the results will be beneficial for all.