<aside> <img src="/icons/flash_yellow.svg" alt="/icons/flash_yellow.svg" width="40px" /> Not long ago, we were approached by the founders of an Arizona-based startup that provides business solutions for efficiently organizing phone support systems. Their challenge? To find a skilled product designer.
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A product designer is a key player who sets the tone for the entire product, shaping how users will interact with it. This was a high-stakes role, made even more significant by the fact that the chosen candidate would be a "trailblazer"—the first product designer to join the company.
✅ Experience: The candidate needed to have a proven track record, preferably with large companies. ✅ Familiarity with the U.S. Market: It was crucial for the new team member to understand the nuances of the U.S. market and speak fluent English. ✅ Task Prioritization and High-Pressure Work: The designer would need to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while helping build processes from scratch, starting with design prototypes and continuing through to a polished, tested final product. ✅ Strong Soft Skills: The candidate had to excel in communication and collaboration.
The client was open to hiring internationally, so we cast a wide net, focusing on candidates with global experience and the required skill set. This broadened the search, but also quickly narrowed the pool since proficiency in English and extensive experience were non-negotiable.
Over the years, we’ve developed a strong database of high-quality candidates. It was from this database that we found the ideal match for our client. The candidate had a rich background, working in a range of companies—from small local firms to large multinational corporations.
Most importantly, their international experience was directly linked to the US, giving them a clear understanding of the market’s dynamics and the client’s target audience. Additionally, their soft skills were exactly what the client was looking for—a trait often difficult to find in senior-level technical specialists.
One of the biggest challenges in recruiting for senior positions is finding candidates who possess both technical and soft skills. Knowing how crucial it was for the client to find someone who would fit in culturally, we paid special attention to evaluating candidates’ communication and interpersonal skills.
Interestingly, the candidate we found wasn’t actively looking for a job. They were settled in a large, stable company and weren’t sure about the risks associated with joining a startup. However, we were able to build a compelling case by highlighting the product’s value, the unique experience of working in a fast-growing international startup, and the exciting potential of the project. This, combined with the client’s ability to present their vision convincingly, won the candidate over and they agreed to participate in the selection process.
The client also handled the candidate’s initial hesitations with understanding. Knowing the candidate had concerns about leaving a secure position, the client revised the offer to make it more attractive, adding valuable stock options and suggesting a trial week to ease the transition.
🔹Out of the 51 resumes we carefully reviewed, 🔹45 candidates were contacted 🔹2 were interviewed In the end, the client made an offer to one candidate, who accepted.
The client’s active involvement in the selection process played a key role in the success of this project. They were open to our advice, quickly provided feedback, and remained engaged throughout the recruitment process.
By taking the time to understand the client’s specific needs and defining the necessary skills and experience, we were able to conduct a precise and focused search, ultimately finding the perfect candidate who met all of the client’s criteria.
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If you are looking for IT specialists for your team, now you know who to turn to. Our team will find your dream candidate in no time, and, most importantly, by working with us, you gain a reliable partner for the long term!
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