When a startup decides to hire a programmer, it’s a bit like trying to win the heart of a Hollywood star. Large companies with endless portfolios, famous brands and free cappuccinos on every corner compete in the game. And you? You have a lot of enthusiasm and an idea worth a billion dollars (in theory).
But don’t be too quick to get discouraged. Programmers are not robots who always choose the company with the fattest wallet. Many of them want more than just a job – they want to feel like a key part of something meaningful, see the results of their efforts, and yes, sometimes sleep until noon without fear of HR’s stern gaze.
I interviewed 20 developers of different genders, ages, temperaments and qualifications, working in different countries and speaking other languages, to understand how small companies can not only survive in the competition with giant companies, but can actually win. This article is about how to find one programmer who is not afraid of the “raw” product, who can take on some startup chaos and become your main ally on the path to success. Spoiler: It’s going to take more than just money. You’ll need creativity, sincerity, and a little smarts.
Advantages of working in startups
Working at a startup is like taking part in a trip around the world on a small boat. Sure, some might prefer a cruise ship with pools and buffet food (hello, big companies), but true adventurers go where they can take the helm, choose the route, and occasionally bail out on the water.
Many studies show that if the salary is fair and competitive, many people are willing to trade a higher salary for freedom, growth, and the opportunity to create something meaningful.
So, why would programmers choose to work at a startup?
1. Flexibility in everything
A startup schedule might resemble a restaurant menu: “What’s best for you?” Unproductive in the morning? Work at night. Visiting your grandmother in the countryside? No problem, as long as you have a stable internet connection. Small businesses know that happy employees work better and won’t stand in the way of their happiness.
In 2021
2. Freedom and independence
In startups, no one will tell you that you must comply with the code at 10:00 AM according to regulations. Here the focus is on results and not on the process. Do you want to work at night, wrapped in a blanket with a cat on your lap? Go for it.
3. Impact on the product
Programmers in startups are like chefs in their own kitchens. You’re not just writing another CRM module; You’re creating something that could change the world — or at least attract the first ten users.
4. Diversity of tasks
You won’t spend years polishing the same “Pay Now” button here. Today, you are coding the backend; Tomorrow, you will set up CI/CD; The next day, I was suddenly responsible for configuring company email. And this is no joke.
5. Potential growth
The journey from junior to top in a large company can take decades. It’s a different story in a startup: you join as a newbie, and if the startup survives, you might become the CTO within a few years. Rapid development is guaranteed.
6. No bureaucracy
Forget weeks-long approval processes as a 15-person panel discusses your request to add a button. In startups, decisions are made quickly, sometimes too quickly, but that’s where the excitement lies.
7. Lively atmosphere
Startups don’t have cold, open spaces for 500 people where HR only knows you by your employee ID number. Here, you are not just an employee; You are a friend, partner, and maybe even co-author of jokes in the team chat.
8. Quick decisions.
You propose an idea – and it is discussed immediately, without endless meetings or bureaucracy. Yesterday, you came up with a feature, and tomorrow it’ll be almost in production (well, almost). Admittedly, sometimes decisions are made so quickly that you don’t realize the idea was a little weird until production.
9. The ability to influence
Your voice matters. Here, you’re not just implementing someone else’s ideas; You are creative. Do you want to apply new technology? Say it. You’ll hear “yes” as long as it doesn’t require selling an office chair. In a large company, you may not get tHat chance.
10. Less politics, more action
In large companies, every project seems like a battleground for budgets, resources, and management attention. In small businesses, it’s simpler: there are no additional layers of management, no complex processes, and no corporate drama. When a team is only five people, there’s no one to stir things up — and not in a good way.
11. A unique experience
Working at a small company isn’t just about “writing code and getting paid.” It’s a story you’ll share with friends – how I launched a business from scratch, solved problems quickly, and came up with creative solutions. And if the startup succeeds, you’ll be proud to know that you were there from the beginning.
12. Technology selection
In small teams, programmers often have greater autonomy in choosing technologies, tools, and methods. This enhances the feeling of responsibility and satisfaction with the work done.
Create an attractive presentation
Remember that developers are not just machines that write code, but people with dreams and ambitions. Instead of making a dry list of your company’s perks, craft a proposal that tells a story. Focus on the benefits of startups we discussed earlier to enhance your narrative. It should feel like a letter to an old friend – real, a little sassy, and persuasive enough to elicit a response.
Share your mission and values! Don’t be afraid to show the spirit of your project. Emphasize that joining a startup is an opportunity to be more than just a cog in the machine, but a real participant in its success. Although you may not be able to offer salaries 80% above market rates, compensation should be fair. Offer a stake in future victories – something HR teams at large companies typically don’t offer.
Originality has value, he explained: “Your crazy ideas are not only welcome, but may even become part of our ambitious plans.” A touch of humor, a little warmth, and now your offer becomes a magnet for those who are looking not just for a job, but for a real adventure.
Help developers feel important, it’s a powerful motivator. Show them that they won’t just be a small part of the system, they’ll be a major player.
An interview with a programmer is not just an interrogation. It’s like a blind date. Remember, both sides hope it works out. During the interview, share the project’s mission and challenges in detail and honestly, and don’t forget to ask what is most important to the candidate.
Maintain talent
Hiring a programmer is only half the battle. Retaining them, especially when big companies start offering them free lunches and annual bonuses, is the real challenge.
You should be prepared to devote significant time to communicating with your developers, especially if you only have one, two, or three on your team. The fewer programmers you have in your company, the more important it is to engage with them regularly (or even just with one person).
You have to ask: “How can I help you?” And “What’s holding you back?” – and then genuinely help them. If they ask for something, make a real effort to make it happen. There’s a great quote by Richard Branson floating around on LinkedIn that says the only way to ensure long-term team loyalty and “success is to treat your employees like family.”
For a startup company, a programmer is not just an employee, but rather your partner on the road to success. Show respect, invest your time and attention, be accommodating to them, offer them help, motivate them, and give them freedom. Do this, and they’ll stick with you — even when a nearby company waves rewards in their face. The key is to make them feel valued and understood.
What do people say?
I asked four developers I personally managed to hire at a small company why they decided to join us, and here’s what they said:
Mid-level developer (By experience but experienced in terms of skills), who was recruited from a company serving major banks:
“For me, creative and personal freedom is essential. In addition, everything in banking moves at a slow pace, using outdated technologies. I wanted to gain new and useful knowledge and make quick decisions, not a year before the release.
Senior developer With experience in teams of over 200 developers:
“I’m so tired of the bureaucracy and, dare I say it, office politics. I wanted to test new ideas as they came up.”
Junior developer:
“After a year of working on a team of about 100 developers, I was craving variety. The work had turned into routine maintenance of a single feature. I felt like I wasn’t growing professionally, and then I found you.”
junior specialist, frank and honest:
“I just need experience. Big companies with good salaries won’t hire me anyway. 😂”
To summarize
So, I decided to compete for developers. Maybe you started this journey feeling like it was impossible to take on companies. They have millions for salaries, office gyms, and free almond milk. And you? You have a startup, an idea, enthusiasm, and maybe a coffee machine that works half the time. But do you know what? That’s enough.
While collecting material for this article, I interviewed 20 developers of different genders, ages, temperaments, and qualifications, working in different countries and speaking other languages. Only one said: “I would never join a startup; companies are just for me.”
Your mission is not just to hire a programmer. Your goal is to find someone who shares the joys and challenges of your startup — someone who can write code and then fix the server where the code crashes. Most importantly, someone who won’t leave for a competitor seeking a Spotify subscription as a reward.
Remember that success in hiring a programmer is not about money. It’s about honesty, atmosphere and a sense of importance. Big companies can offer standard franchises, but only small companies can offer the real excitement and feeling of being part of something great.
So don’t give up. Be honest, a little sneaky, and always keep a sense of humor. In a world where developers are more attracted to great programming than flashy corporate parties, your dedication and creativity may be the key to success.