5 qualities entrepreneurs look for in their people

Five ways to impress an entrepreneur.

You are excited about the prospect of joining the company. You’ve done your research and now it is time to meet the entrepreneur, the founder, the owner.

What are they going to want to see in you? How will you convince them to hire you? What do entrepreneurs look for in potential recruits?

I have recruited for hundreds of entrepreneurs over the last 25 years. Whilst all have been unique individuals, it is still possible to identify 5 qualities that will always impress an entrepreneur:

#1 Flexibility

The entrepreneur will be interested in you as a person – not just as someone with the skills and experience to do the job you have applied for. When they interview you they will be constantly thinking about where you could add value in the business. They will not necessarily be assessing you for a specific role. Be prepared for them to suggest an alternative role within their company for which they think you are more suited. They may spot something about you that interests them, something that is not on your resume.

Tip: Go with the flow and keep an open mind – expect the unexpected.

#2 Work ethic

I have yet to meet an entrepreneur, who at some time in their career has not put in a ridiculous amount of hours to make a business succeed. The trend for “work-life” balance is not something they reject, just something they don’t really understand. To them work and life are inextricably intertwined, they do not separate one from the other. They often find it difficult to comprehend that others have a requirement to draw distinct lines between home and work.

Tip: Ask an entrepreneur what the working hours are (or how many days holiday you will get) and not only will they not provide an accurate answer (because they don’t know), but you will never get the opportunity to find out!

#3 Strength of character

Most entrepreneurs, by definition, are strong characters who know their own mind. This unrelenting self-belief is what lies behind much of their success – they know they are right. Nevertheless, few wish to be surrounded by “yes” men or women. They want to be respectfully challenged and for their people to voice their opinions. They may not necessarily agree with you, but they want to hear what you really think nonetheless.

Tip: Agree with everything they say and they will perceive that you have little to add to their operation.

#4 Common sense

Many entrepreneurs have not had formal business training. Their success has been based upon identifying a “need” and supplying a “solution”. How many times have you commented on how simple and obvious a brilliant idea is - yet you didn’t spot the opportunity yourself? Entrepreneurs have an inherent ability to simplify everything, to strip it back. Rarely are they interested in what theory dictates, instead they seek simple, practical solutions to problems.

Tip: Don’t fall into the trap of trying to “dress” an idea or situation up – just tell it how it is.

#5 Value

Entrepreneurs will rarely care what you are currently earning or, indeed, what you want to earn. They are focused on the value you can bring to their business. It is their own money after all, and every penny laid out is expected to generate a satisfactory return. Regardless of what role you are applying for, they will be thinking about the return they will get if they hire you. You will find that how much they are prepared to pay you will be in direct correlation to the value you bring - not what the wider market may dictate they should pay you.

Tip: Focus on the value you can bring to the business and what financial return that will generate.

Finally, remember that the business is their “train set”. They are emotionally attached. They won’t take kindly to being told that they have got everything wrong, but nor will they want you to tell them how wonderful they are! Strike a happy balance.

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Thank you for reading my post – I really appreciate it. Here on LinkedIn, I regularly write about the people issues high-growth, entrepreneur-led and family owned businesses face as they grow. If you would like to read my regular posts then please click “Follow” (at the top of the page) and send me a LinkedIn invite. Alternatively, please feel free to connect via Twitter or Twiddle & Co.

Other recent posts by David Twiddle:

• Are you a lonely entrepreneur?
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• 3 ways to protect culture through rapid growth.
• Top 4 people challenges in mid-sized companies.
• Putting off you “difficult conversation”?
• When to hire people better than you.

About : David Twiddle is a recognised expert in executive search, career coaching, leadership development and entrepreneurship. He helps high-growth, entrepreneur-led and family owned businesses overcome the people challenges that growth inevitably brings.