Why it's important to hire the right employees in a young company

Hiring the right employees to get the job done is a crucial component of success at any company. At a young company, however, hiring the right employees can make or break your business venture.

As a recent college graduate who was the first employee at a start-up marketing firm, I realize how my role helped shape the company's progress. Now, as a marketing specialist at a nationwide surety bond provider that got its start just a few years ago, I see first-hand how my day-to-day activities contribute to the overall success of the company.

As a business owner, you have the ability to be picky when choosing candidates who you feel are right for positions. But why is it so important to hire the right employees for your young company?

Your reputation

Attitude, experience and work ethic are just a few of the traits you evaluate in each candidate you interview. Why is that? Because you want clients to associate your business with professionalism.

One of the biggest challenges that comes with starting a business is establishing your reputation. Your branding, marketing strategies and, of course, customer service work to make your company name synonymous with good work, quality service and professionalism. Your employees are the face of your business, so hiring candidates who already have these skills and values is one of the best things you can do to ensure success from the start.

Your future

Establishing a business culture happens early on in the process of starting a new business, so it’s likely that the first employees you hire will set the standard for future employees. To ensure that future employees fit into your business culture, hold all candidates you interview to the same standard as veteran employees. When everyone is on the same page working toward the same goal, employees can drive the success of a business for years to come.

Remember that it can take years to build a reputation and only seconds to destroy one, so it’s important that you recognize how each new employee can grow in the position and then shape the company according to your business goals. With each potential employee you interview, keep the reputation of your company and the future of your business in mind, and listen to your gut instinct when you think you’ve found someone who fits the bill.

Sara Aisenberg is an executive writer and marketing specialist for SuretyBonds.com, a nationwide surety bond producer that works with entrepreneurs every day. As a part of the company's educational outreach program, Sara writes articles to help entrepreneurs begin their business ventures as successfully as possible.