David Cummings on Startups

Stronger Startup Cultures Take Longer to Hire

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David Cummings

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Recently a team member was lamenting about how long it was taking us to fill a position. We had interviewed a number of qualified candidates, some even getting to the final stage of the process. Internally, I had to keep reiterating that these candidates were very strong but not perfect for us. Frustrating? Yes. The right thing to do? Absolutely.

The stronger the startup’s corporate culture the longer it takes to hire the right person.

The difference between a perfect fit and a good fit culturally is enormous. Every person that’s hired either makes the culture stronger or weaker — there’s no in between. Peter Drucker said it best: culture eats strategy for breakfast!

Longer to hire means longer to find the right candidate, on average, and not a longer interview process. When the right person is found, strong corporate cultures know it and act fast. When the company moves quickly with an offer to a great fit, it makes a strong statement with the candidate.

What else? Do you agree that stronger startup cultures take longer to hire?

Comments

4 responses to “Stronger Startup Cultures Take Longer to Hire”

  1. Mike Schinkel Avatar
    Mike Schinkel

    I would concur. Would be interested in a future post in hearing you describe Pardot’s culture and what are and are not good cultural fits to give us an example.

    Reply
  2. Mindy Leigh Avatar
    Mindy Leigh

    I recently graduated with an advertising degree and am in the middle of applying to several marketing and advertising firms. It has taken longer to hear back from the ones that I like the best, which do have strong cultures. I think this is important and that’s why I have also been working strongly on mine. It helps to hear that this is not necessarily a bad thing!

    Reply
  3. Mindy Leigh Avatar
    Mindy Leigh

    Reblogged this on Mindy Explains It All and commented:
    I think it’s really important that a business have a culture of their own. I try to include “my own culture” by putting my blogs and twitter on my resume. I definitely want to work somewhere with a strong culture, so it’s good to hear that it isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you don’t fit somewhere. As I’ve been applying to jobs, I’ve been very anxious, and it helps to hear that hearing back is normal because I know a lot of the places I’ve applied have excellent cultures.

    Reply
  4. Jan Goldstein VPHR Avatar
    Jan Goldstein VPHR

    Sounds like you are clear on your values and aren’t willing to compromise. Three cheers for that!

    Reply

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