Yes, it can be seen as exciting to move to a new company and be it on the ground floor, influencing and growing with the company but people’s personal and family situations can make it difficult to take a perceived risk. The disconnect is that the founders of the company have already taken massive risks and are focussed on the success and are driven towards this so their passion for the project often overrides the risk perception that potential employees experience. So, it is vital that founders and hiring managers can demonstrate a truthful, considered, and credible pathway for the business that acknowledges the risks but also highlights the securities and evidences the trust and faith that others have in the project.

How invested are the founders and senior management in the project? What has staff turnover been like in the past year 18 months? What backing have investors given? What evidence of orders and or interest from partner companies has been built up?

In short, companies need to treat prospective hires the same way they would investors to a point to answer the question “If I invest in this company either financially or with my time and skills, what assurances can you give me of a solid stable return on that investment!?

Be prepared also to reward those early-stage employees not just by sharing the spoils of success but by valuing them when they join as they play a vital part in building the dream.

Enigma People Solutions is an award-winning technology recruitment consultancy. We find technical leaders for the emerging and enabling technology industries. Visit our services page for more information. Visit our job search page for the latest vacancies in photonics, electronics, semiconductor, software and IoT in Scotland and the UK. Check out our blog page for the latest in the technology industry. You can get in touch with us hello@enigmapeople.com or call us on + 44 131 510 8150