How to Make the Right Executive Hire

It’s easier to launch a company, but not so much when you’ve to build a stellar team from scratch. The leadership can make or break your business, so as a business owner, it’s your primary responsibility to assemble a top-notch team. 

The founding team of your company must have diverse skills that complement each other easily. For your business to be successful, trust and effective collaboration is absolutely essential. 

You must make sure that you’re able to find talented individual contributors, be they designers or marketers, who share the same vision of your brand. 

Once you do what it takes to build a strong core team and achieve a product-market fit, your next role would be to scale your business. 

One of the most important steps at this stage is hiring your first executive.

The job market is fiercely competitive, and in this climate, hiring an executive can be particularly challenging. Sudden shifts and unexpected events have created a new reality. 

Yet, these disruptions also bring opportunities. If you’re able to effectively navigate the current talent shortage and turn it into an advantage, streamlining your executive hiring process, you are bound to succeed in the future. 

A good strategy is to partner with an executive recruitment firm that has a proven hiring process, a history of success, and insights into the ever-changing market.

When you have a seasoned executive in your team, they can help you with establishing structure, roles, and pathways for further team expansion. You can also leverage their experience to learn the best practices for managing growth-related challenges. An experienced C-suite employee also has a vast professional network, which could be used to enhance recruitment and sales efforts. Lastly, they can also help boost your company’s credibility in the market. 

The process of hiring an executive is intricate and demands careful attention and time. If you want to do it right for your brand and business, here are a couple of insights that can help – 

Don't be in a hurry to hire.

Hiring the right executive will require some amount of patience. 

You have to get it clear in your head that you must get an executive only when you clearly need one. This typically means when hiring needs to ramp up or when the company requires more process, structure, and discipline.

In simple terms, if you haven't achieved product-market fit, it's wise to keep your expenses low rather than hiring a costly executive. 

Although their experience and network can boost your business, it's crucial that the business is already heading in the right direction. 

Be aware of the things you do not know.

Before hiring an executive, it's crucial to honestly assess your team's current skills. You have to determine if you need industry expertise, functional abilities, or a combination of both.

Many companies start with a strong "founder-market fit," bringing a unique perspective to their industry. Your job is to recognise the gaps and inexperience because it can help you clearly define the role you need to fill.

Ask your investors and advisors for help.

It is often difficult to recruit for a role when you have no idea how that role must be done right. Because of this reason, it can be difficult to understand if a candidate is good or bad, despite having an impressive resume. You need to ask questions that truly matter, and who could know that better than your investors and advisors? 

Your investors and advisors have the relevant operational experience that can prove to be extremely valuable. They can provide insight and help source quality candidates. 

Because of this reason, involving investors and advisors in the recruitment process—from sourcing to evaluation to closing—can be incredibly beneficial. Their expertise and networks can greatly enhance your chances of finding the right executive.

Look for the Must-Haves along with the Deal Breakers.

Every startup is unique, so the ideal executive candidate is expected to vary widely. However, there are certain "must-haves" and "deal breakers" that you must consider for your first executive hire.

Beyond having the right experience, your ideal candidate has to be passionate about your industry and your mission. Therefore, you must look for someone willing to dive in and contribute directly to the work.

Be cautious of candidates who focus excessively on titles, perks, severance, and vacation time. While these factors are important, they should not overshadow the opportunity to make a significant impact and the potential benefits of joining an early-stage company. 

Your ideal candidate should prioritize the role's challenges and opportunities over immediate rewards.

Try them out before you end up in a long-term partnership.

Both parties, you and the candidate, have to show strong interest for the partnership to be fruitful. Hence, it is wise to test the arrangement for at least six weeks before making a long-term commitment. 

This trial period will allow for a two-way evaluation. It's a chance for you to see how the executive operates and for them to integrate with the team.

During the trial period with your executive, you can try doing everything together, from important client pitches to casual conversations during outdoor runs. 

Such a hands-on experience can be crucial in determining cultural fit, as it’s difficult to truly understand someone’s compatibility with your team without observing daily interactions and handling challenges together.

Your Partner in Executive Search Excellence

Your business is your creation, and it can be hard to let go, but trusting your team is crucial. To attract and keep top leaders and managers, you need to give them the freedom to execute their roles effectively. Delegate responsibilities and allow them to lead, ensuring your business can grow and thrive.

TASC is a trusted HR staffing and executive search firm in the Middle East, dedicated to connecting companies with the leadership talent they need to thrive. Our 16+ years of expertise in local and global recruitment have made us a trusted partner for many businesses seeking to fill C-suite positions. We offer a bespoke service, understanding each client's unique needs and aligning our strategy accordingly to deliver results that exceed expectations.

If you're looking to enhance your leadership team with top-tier executives, reach out to our experts today. Let us help you find your next great leader.

Hiring your first executive is a crucial step in scaling your business. So, don’t rush the process—take your time to ensure you make the right choice, as this decision is foundational to your company's growth. 

It can take some time to find the right candidate, but when you have them by your side, you will experience significant growth.