My Favourite "Hiring Hack"

Most founders (and recruiters) tell me It’s hard as hell to hire good startup marketers these days. My best hack: Don’t hire marketers at all!

Think about it, when you put a bunch of experience “filters” on your search, you narrow the universe of potential candidates. (Paid social, Adwords, GA, Email deliverability, experience with Series A B2B SAAS subscription business in multiple geographies, etc.) That rules out like 99.8% of people.

But here’s the thing - the experience isn’t that important. Marketing isn't rocket science. A clever person can figure out any of those tools in a few days, or take a cheap/free online course. (Two of the best marketers I ever hired had no marketing experience).

What is important? Character traits: Brains, people skills, drive. (Have you read Principles by Ray Dalio?)

Struggling with a hire? Try this.

Sit down with a blank piece of paper (actual paper not your distracting computer) and list out the 3-5 character traits that matter most for that role. (Analytical? Resourceful? Good with people? Comfortable with ambiguity? Good writer?) Get rid of all the other "filters" and start your search there - maximise those traits. Or quicker still...

Want to see my list of traits?

No problem, read my 8 Traits for the Perfect Startup Growth Hire.

Whichever route you go, first remove all the experience “filters” and broaden your search. Hire the most talented person you can find regardless of their specific experience. (Remember, marketing isn’t rocket science).