Today's remote startups have a significant advantage: They can access the best candidates from anywhere. But the question is: if you can access the best, how do you choose? In my experience, hiring the right people means evaluating more than just their technical skills. Here are four key things to focus on when hiring for your remote startup team: ↳ Forget 'culture fit' — hire for culture add. 🧩 Look for candidates who'll challenge your thinking and push your culture forward, not just blend in. ↳ You can teach skills, but startup grit is different. 💪 Someone who's thrived in chaos will handle your next pivot far better than someone who's only known stability. ↳ Self-motivated or team motivated? 🧠 Remote workers need to be self-starters. Look for the ability to work independently and stay focused on their own. ↳ Hire for future potential, not present perfection. 🚀 In a year, your business will evolve — can this person grow with it? Remember you're not just hiring for today but for someone who'll shape the future alongside you. While startups can face significant challenges competing with bigger, better-funded companies — being open-minded about where your talent comes from can give you a real competitive advantage. Because once you change that mindset, it's a whole new playing field. Amiright Remote? 💜😉
Remote
2mo
Great tips! Culture Add vs Culture-fit is 👌
Franz Vitulli
2mo
Culture add, yes, but still, value fit. Startup grit, yes, but employers ought to seek ways to promote balance without sacrificing growth. 100% on potential vs present.
Danny Groner
2mo
Thanks for sharing this. I am drawn to this part: “Look for candidates who'll challenge your thinking and push your culture forward, not just blend in.” What are the right questions to ask through a screen to know that you’re hiring someone who challenges your thinking and pushes your culture forward?
Juliana Rabbi
2mo
Instead of automatically be impressed by the "well know multinacional companies" out there, expanding our job search and options to remote start ups can be a great move too. Job seekers will need to make a decision too about if they want to work for the company or not, so havig clarity about your non-negotiable aspects for your next job will help in the process.
Rachel B Miller
2mo
All of this. Self-starters who thrive in chaos are a huge value-add to pretty much any team.
Marc Uitterhoeve
2mo
I like the "Forget 'culture fit' — hire for culture add. 🧩". We are usually quite focussed on making sure there is a good cultural fit, but it would be better to find someone who adds something that the current company culture is missing.
Nick Broughton
2mo
This is just a masterclass. To add: In a remote environment, clear communication isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential. Look for candidates who can articulate their thoughts effectively and collaborate seamlessly, even across time zones. Thanks for sharing your insights Gillian O'Brien
Archie Sethu 🌊
2mo
Honestly, totally agree with you. Well said.
Balaji R.
2mo
People still have a different perception of remote work. They say Productivity is a lack in Remote Culture.
Virtual Executive & General Assistant | Bookkeeper | Excel Expert | ACA Certified | MSc I support e-commerce, start-ups, and SMEs by maintaining precise financial records and helping CEOs optimize productivity.
2moI think differences in perception and cross cultural management should be consider