A different approach to hiring senior executives in a startup

Postado 03. Nov, 2011 por en News

I decided to publish this email that I sent out to hundreds of applicants for a Senior Leadership position inside VivaReal after posting the job opening on LinkedIn. We don’t have a huge team reviewing CVs and screening candidates so as part of our “Adapt and Overcome” philosophy, I tried something a bit different (by the way, we are looking to bring on a recruiter/hiring manager soon so expect a post about that in the coming weeks or if you know someone please send them our way). Once we make a hire, I will reflect on whether or not it was effective, but based on the first day after sending it, I was able to identify some really solid candidates that I look forward to meeting next week.
Diego, Thomas and I (the Founders) have been busting our butt for years to make this happen. I am happy with the traction we are getting and feel like we are on the cusp of a major breakthrough to revolutionize how people search for real estate in Brazil and Colombia. I decided to publish this as a blog post including the message I sent because I think it fairly represents how I feel about people that I want joining the team. I wrote it without intending to share it with anyone besides the candidates, but I think it helps people understand more about our DNA as a company.

Your Job Application: Entrepreneurially Minded CFO/COO

I received your application for our job opening at VivaReal.com.br, the fastest growing real estate marketplace in Brazil. I decided to send this email to you because as of today we have almost 400 candidates that have applied for the opening for the “Diretor Financeiro Administrativo” combining some of the activities of a CFO and COO. We are still small so the job will be involved in several different areas of the company. This email serves two functions:

1. Communicate the opportunity, company culture – setting your expectation.
2. Eliminate the candidates that don’t really have what it takes to join a scrappy group of ambitious entrepreneurs focused on changing how Brazilians find real estate.

CAUTION: If you currently have a cushy job at a bank or a multi-national and your number 1 priority is money, let me cut through the bullshit – THIS IS NOT THE JOB FOR YOU.
Let me be clear if you kick ass, we will pay you a competitive salary + stock options.

We are a funded Internet company well positioned between our management team, investors and advisors (FYI our investors and advisors have built some of the most successful internet business in the WORLD and we are on track to do something BIG). However, we maintain a startup culture. That means that if you don’t like to get your hands dirty, don’t even bother contacting me. My partners and I started the company with almost no money and very little support so if you need a secretary from day 1, you won’t fit in. With very little money we have become one of the most widely visited real estate portals in Brazil and we passed our two competitors in number of listings. Yes, you read that correctly, we passed them.

We are in a growth phase right now and we have an aggressive hiring plan. We need a senior executive that will add to the team and work directly with the founders to build an internet business that becomes a case study in Brazil. This is your opportunity to build a company without having to assume all the risk of the early days – the blood, sweat and tears of getting it off the ground.

If you have read this far and you are nodding your head with excitement because you can connect with what I write – the passion behind having an impact, building a team and innovating – taking on classic businesses that have been around for over 100 years, but haven’t turned the industry upside down because they can’t take the same kind of risks as us. We want YOU! You may have a job at a consulting firm, a bank, a large multi-national, whatever the case maybe…If you are really talented and motivated by doing something meaningful, send me an email to brian@vivareal.com with the title CFO/COO. Knock my socks off with an email that shows you want to be part of this. I can honestly say that it will be a life changing opportunity where you will learn a ton, make good money and ultimately increase your happy factor. Read more about VivaReal principles here and just for a little extra life/philosophical boost, watch Steve Jobs’ commencement speech at Stanford. If it gives you Goosebumps and inspiration, let’s talk about how VivaReal could be a good fit for you. Thanks for your time.
Kind Regards,

Brian Requarth
CEO, Co-Founder
VivaReal.com.br

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