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“The talent level here is really high,” I said to the engineering candidate I was interviewing. “So, if you want to work with the best of the best, you should join us.”
I was the last person to interview Melind, the closer, so to speak. Jeroen, my co-founder and VP Engineering told me that he had passed through our engineering interviews with flying colors. “I really want him to join us,” Jeroen said to me.
Your initial founding team will set the level of talent for the rest of your company’s life.
Back to my interview with Melind. I didn’t give Melind a technical interview because that would have been an insult to him. He’d already been grilled by our best engineers.
I was there to talk about the company, our vision, and address any concerns he had about the company. In parallel, I wanted to make sure he fit our culture.
Melind said, “The team seems really good.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Do you have any concerns about working with us?”
“No, I don’t,” Melind said.
I stood up, and we shook hands. “I’m looking forward to working with you,” I said as I left the conference room.
