YC
Don't Make These Hiring Mistakes
@ Y Combinator
05/20/22
Takeaways
BF
Brad Flora
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
One of the most common mistakes founders make is thinking that hiring more people will solve their problems and help them get more done.
HT
Harj Taggar
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Founders often believe that having more employees impresses investors and customers, which can lead to focusing on hiring as a key performance indicator.
HT
Harj Taggar
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Just because you're a startup founder doesn't mean you're good at hiring and managing people; this realization often comes after the first experience.
HT
Harj Taggar
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Hiring someone just because they are available can be a mistake; it’s important to ensure that the hire aligns with the startup's current needs and stage.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Founders often underestimate their unique skills and the specific challenges of their startup, thinking that hiring experienced executives will solve their problems.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
It's common for founders to want to hire an executive team prematurely, influenced by the success stories of established companies, but this can be misguided without product-market fit.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Founders sometimes hire for future problems they anticipate, but it's crucial to focus on immediate challenges instead of speculative hires.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
In startups, it's often better to address problems as they arise rather than trying to predict and hire for future issues, which can lead to unnecessary hires.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
At the earliest stages, you need to be able to pivot quickly because you don't know what will happen, and if it takes too long to adjust, your startup might not survive.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Successful companies like Airbnb and Stripe took time to hire their first employees, focusing on building their product before scaling their teams.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Hiring specialists can save a company a lot of money, but it's essential to bring them on only when the specific problem arises, not before.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Every successful CEO emphasizes the importance of hiring, but as a founder, you need to focus on other critical aspects before mastering hiring.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
The smartest founders understand that a smaller team of highly skilled individuals is often more effective than a larger team of mediocre performers.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Founders often find it challenging to hire because they have high standards for candidates, which can make the process feel daunting.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
The instinct to over-hire often leads founders to believe they need more people, but this can result in higher employee burn and lower runway.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
When you're building a company, it's crucial to understand that hiring too many employees too soon can lead to burnout and financial strain.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
Many founders experience burnout due to people problems, realizing that managing a team can drain their energy instead of energizing them.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
05/20/22
@ Y Combinator
If you're pre-product market fit, hiring is not the solution to your problems; focus on achieving product-market fit first before considering hiring.