I love the process of hiring people. Especially when you have a lot of interest in the job you are hiring out for. You can get all kinds of crazy applying for a job. To me, the diversity of the applicants reminds me how fun this work can be and how difficult it can be to find the right person. Here are some things that I look for, granted this may be an odd list, but let’s face it, creatives are an odd bunch.
People who’ve gotten (or come close to getting) fired – Not everyone who gets fired is let go for the right reasons. Sometimes, someone tries a bold, calculating move that fails. However, in a different context it might have worked and had huge results. These are the type of people who will take risks for you because they have been there before. I am not saying hire people that are reckless, just hire people who take risks.
People who are so passionate about their work they have either cried or yelled – I want people who are over the top about their work. It is easier to try to calm down a passionate person about their work, then it is to get someone fired up.
People who have a well developed hobby – People with a developed hobby show you two things, dedication and persistence. Someone with those two traits can get anything done.
People who have had to fire or hire people – People who have had to fire or hire people means they have lived in my shoes at some point. Which means they will better understand the personnel descisions that have to be made.
People with tattoos – I know tattoos are turn off for a lot people, but I see them differently. I don’t see a rebel, or a deliquent, I see someone with story. Don’t believe me, just ask someone about their tattoo. More than likely the tattoo is a marker in their life that represents some sort of loss, gain or scar. The point is that people have stories and people who have stories have more than likely lived a full, unsheltered life. They have some seasoning, some sort of story or experience that will add to the story of your team.
People who know the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek – Do I really need to explain this?
People who have a deep disdain for Comic Sans – Do I really need to explain this one too?
People who blog consistently – People who blog consistently are usually people who can effectively communicate their thoughts. Want to know if someone is an effective communicator? Ask them to write something.
People who have no idea who Kim Kardashian is – Knowing a thing or two about pop culture is not bad, however understanding that there is little value in it and acting on that knowledge shows me that you have priorities.
People who have worked fast food restaurants – People who have worked in fast food restaurants learn two things. One, they learn what it is like to start at the bottom of the career ladder, which in turn gives them greater appreciation for any other job. Two, they learned how to be efficient and move quickly.
People who have had to live solely off of freelance work – People who have had to freelance, have had to hustle for work. Those who know how to hustle aren’t afraid of “no”, because they know to look somewhere else for the “yes”.
People who have designed their own typeface – Designing your typeface is hard, real hard. Someone who has designed their own font, understands the need for attention to detail.
People who don’t own a TV – I find that people who don’t own a TV are far more focused on others and exploring the world. Two great traits in an employee.
