On the third episode of 1st10 Podcast, hosts Boris Epstein and Alexis Munger draw from their experiences working with startups to come up with SEVEN simple tips for founders looking to build early-engineering teams. These tips cover a wide gamut of all things startup-related - ranging from recruiting, to culture-building, to crafting compelling company narratives.

On today’s episode, Boris and Alexis discuss 7 tips on how to attract and retain top engineering talent for your startup.

Here’s a quick glimpse into some of the key takeaways…

“Recruiting is all momentum-based” - Interviewing multiple candidates in a single day (rather than over several days)allows you to compare and contrast candidates better. (6:15 )

“Leverage your network” - Your network is a goldmine for finding top talent. If you can effectively tap into your connections, you will be able to build a strong early-engineering team. (9:36 )

“Hire for aptitude” - Problem-solving skills and adaptability are crucial for early-stage success. (13:07 )

“Define your culture early” - Culture isn't just a document on the wall. It's the essence of your company. (20:17 )

“Craft a compelling story about your company and your product and what your mission is.” - Your startup's story is your secret weapon in attracting top talent. (25:31 )

Oh, and you’re gonna LOVE tips 2 and 1 - make sure you listen all the way to the end of the episode!

Chapters

Introduction (00:00 - 03:28 )

Tip #7: This is what all your hires will ultimately focus on. (03:32 - 05:42 )

Tip #6: Gaining an advantage in THIS aspect is critical for startups. (05:42 - 9:41 )

Tip #5: Sometimes the right candidates are really, REALLY close. (9:41 - 13:07 )

Tip #4: If you find someone good that you don’t particularly need… (13:07 - 20:23 )

Tip #3: Know what you are all about. (20:23 - 25:31 )

Tip #2: How to be a superhero from the get-go. (25:31 - 31:33 )

Tip #1: The most-obvious truth is also the most-easily-missed... (31:33 - 43:26 )

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Links:Episode

Cover Art via Pixlr

Music by Roman Senyk from Pixabay

Producer: Shrikant Joshi