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Recruiting –
build your team

When a startup is growing, the tasks also grow. Additional employees need to be hired to handle the work that arises. Here you can find out more about what makes good recruiting and which legal aspects you should consider.

Finding a co-founder in Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / C. Brandes

Find your startup team: practical tips for finding employees

Before the search begins, it should be clarified which activities need to be covered, what skills and characteristics new colleagues should have and how much financial leeway you have.

The motivation and commitment of employees is crucial, especially at the beginning of business development. The fact that a startup is different from large corporations should not only be clear to the founder. This is why it is also important to focus on the corporate culture, as the first team members have a significant influence on it. In addition to professional qualities, a personal match is also important.

Employer branding - strengthen your image as a good employer

Before you start recruiting, you should have built up a strong employer branding. Only by clearly communicating your startup's mission to the outside world potential applicants will get an authentic impression of your company. Many job seekers now want a meaningful position and an employer that is driven by more than just profit.

You should also openly present the corporate culture of your startup. With the help of employee portraits and clearly defined company values on your website, you can emphasise the character of your startup.

Use your network
A strong network can help to find suitable employees for your startup. For example, take part in events and meetups to become visible on the labour market in your industry.

Your employees could also help with recruiting. By setting up an employee referral programme, you can create incentives that motivate your team to find suitable candidates from their own network.

Choose the right platforms:

Job seekers are on the move in various ways, so it is important to advertise your job adverts on several channels and provide online insights into the day-to-day running of the company. An active presence on social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Instagram can make your company more approachable for potential applicants. If you only want to address specific groups of people, social media advertising (SMA) could also be a good strategy for your startup.

© Mediaserver Hamburg / Christian Brandes

A pleasant application process is an important step in getting your potential new team members interested in the job right from the start.

1. You can use an applicant management system to ensure that the contact process is pleasant and quick.

2. You should make sure to provide a clear structure for the interviews. The use of assessment tests can also help you to better assess your candidates. Ultimately, when selecting employees, you should consider personal factors in addition to professional skills and make sure that the person fits in well with your existing team.

There are also legal aspects to consider when hiring new employees, such as employment contracts and insurance. It is also possible to give new employees a financial stake in the company to increase their motivation for joint success.

Does your company have vacant startup jobs? Or are you looking for a job in the startup sector?

Then take a look at our job portal. Post your adverts or find the right startup job for you! 

Digital publication on personnel
Practical overview of, for example, personnel search, personnel selection, job interviews, employment contracts, personnel management, employment relationships, (labour) law, financial assistance, termination, employer obligations (PDF)
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy 

Recruitment
Comprehensive overview of the most important aspects of recruitment
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce 

Part-time work and fixed-term contracts
Summary of the most important points: Part-time work and fixed-term contracts.    
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce 

General Equal Treatment Act
What does this law mean and what are the consequences for the employer (collection of information)
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce 

Employee participation & examples of participation
Information on employee participation with practical examples
Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection

Residence permits within the EU
EU Blue Card: For academic specialists from abroad to obtain a residence permit for the German (European) labour market (English)
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

Employment of foreign employees and refugees
General information and guidelines that must be observed when employing foreign employees and refugees
Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection 

Employment of people with physical or mental disabilities
Special considerations must be taken into account when hiring employees with physical or mental disabilities
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection

Counselling & Coaching

hei. Seminar programme ‘Corporate culture’ - Calendar of dates
Overview of all hei. events and seminars from the hei.scheckheft programme. The hei.scheckheft is a compilation of various seminars that are relevant for founders. Participation in the hei. seminar programmes is subsidised with a voucher of € 500.
hei. Calender

Last accessed: Feb 2024

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