Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#1

Post by noam_k » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 7:16 AM UTC

Hi all,

I'm moving into a Team Lead position after ~9 years of technical work (mostly R&D). The team deals with cryptography for a hardware startup, so we have a very diverse set of subjects we need to understand (abstract math, a few open source libraries we are integrating with, hardware requirements, to name a few). At the moment there's only one team member I'll be in charge of, so I'll be focused on hiring.

My main question is what should I put emphasis on in the recruitment process? Is hiring a junior a valid risk? Are there gotchas I should be aware of?

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#2

Post by coderintherye » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 7:24 AM UTC

Hire for someone who works most effectively with your team. Communicate to the candidates what it is actually like to work on your team and set expectations accordingly so you hire the person who actually wants to do that work.

Hiring juniors is always a worthwhile risk as long as they have the necessary support to grow into being effective in the role. Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someone senior as your first hire.

Effective teamwork will always outpace individual contributions.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#3

Post by afandian » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:27 AM UTC

Being confident and relaxed is important for making a good decision, I think. I recommend the Manager Tools podcast, especially the “hall of fame” (HOF) episodes. Good advice but also friendly supportive chatter from people who’ve done this all before.

And concrete advice that worked for me. Share interview questions in advance. Give people a chance to think deeply, if they want.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#4

Post by lgas » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:28 AM UTC

coderintherye wrote: post #2

Hire for someone who works most effectively with your team. Communicate to the candidates what it is actually like to work on your team and set expectations accordingly so you hire the person who actually wants to do that work. Hiring juniors is always a worthwhile risk as long as they have the necessary support to grow into being effective in the role. Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someon…

> Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someone senior as your first hire.

I'd go so far as to say don't hire a junior person as your first hire. Someone senior can help you with hiring in general and hiring good junior candidates in particular.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#5

Post by siva7 » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:32 AM UTC

Don't underestimate how much work a junior causes so it's a valid risk. Most importantly, hire for someone you like on personal level and could go on for a drink.

One of my past managers said i shouldn't have to be "friends" with any of my reports and only look for their output qualities. I disagree with this. Having a good connection with your teammates will make your life as a manager so much easier and if you can decide who will be hired into the team use this.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#6

Post by Tempest1981 » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:38 AM UTC

lgas wrote: post #4

coderintherye wrote: post #2

Hire for someone who works most effectively with your team. Communicate to the candidates what it is actually like to work on your team and set expectations accordingly so you hire the person who actually wants to do that work. Hiring juniors is always a worthwhile risk as long as they have the necessary support to grow into being effective in the role. Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someon…

> Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someone senior as your first hire. I'd go so far as to say don't hire a junior person as your first hire. Someone senior can help you with hiring in general and hiring good junior candidates in particular.

In my experience, there are juniors who are on the verge of becoming senior... and juniors who will forever be juniors, sadly. (Even with lots of support.)

Any tips for distinguishing future abilities?

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#7

Post by halgir » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:40 AM UTC

lgas wrote: post #4

coderintherye wrote: post #2

Hire for someone who works most effectively with your team. Communicate to the candidates what it is actually like to work on your team and set expectations accordingly so you hire the person who actually wants to do that work. Hiring juniors is always a worthwhile risk as long as they have the necessary support to grow into being effective in the role. Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someon…

> Just don't hire a junior because you are afraid of hiring someone senior as your first hire. I'd go so far as to say don't hire a junior person as your first hire. Someone senior can help you with hiring in general and hiring good junior candidates in particular.

That's a good point. Juniors are valuable, but only if there is sufficient scaffolding for them to grow and be led towards the most valuable work. Otherwise you're doing everyone a disservice.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#8

Post by 000ooo000 » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:43 AM UTC

It's suggested but not totally clear from your OP whether you were promoted to TL in the team you spent 9 years in, or whether you are new to the TL role in a new team after 9 years in another team/role. That might be a relevant consideration for your questions.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#9

Post by apstyx » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:48 AM UTC

* ensure that the person can acknowledge mistakes and handles criticism/feedback in a positive manner. obviously that needs to be communicated in a fair and responsible manner

* do you want to have a beer/coffee/social interaction with the person outside of work? does not mean you will but you will need to build a relationship with the person

* make sure you know what you are expecting from the hire, write that down, not in MBA speak but in a way that you will be able to review the list in 3/6/12 months

* know you are going to make mistakes, be honest about it with the team and keep on improving. it never ends but it is such an awesome journey.

(no capital letters, speed has a price :D)

Re: Ask HN: Tips for a new team lead who is hiring

#10

Post by Ballas » Tue, Mar 21, 2023, 8:52 AM UTC

siva7 wrote: post #5

Don't underestimate how much work a junior causes so it's a valid risk. Most importantly, hire for someone you like on personal level and could go on for a drink. One of my past managers said i shouldn't have to be "friends" with any of my reports and only look for their output qualities. I disagree with this. Having a good connection with your teammates will make your life as a manager so much easier and if you can…

I agree with this, especially for a small team like this seems to be. Teams are most effective when they enjoy working together.