Connections that really feel good can be extremely motivating, funding or no. If I had a hiring role for that organization I'd emphasize connection over exact j

Connections that really feel good can be extremely motivating, funding or no. If I had a hiring role for that organization I'd emphasize connection over exact job skill matches if it came down to it. I'd make sure every new hire felt really good to at least 2-3 leaders they'll work with, too, so the leadership could reach out to them comfortably to seal the connection. Then I'd build on that in future hiring and interviews, and get other employees involved as a way of building the collection of motivated folks who can soak it in and enjoy our vibe. This organization in a pre-funded state and wanting employees should have an amazing vibe, no excuses. But it doesn't have to be _everybody's_ amazing vibe. It has to be something positive, reasonably energetic, and then the other stuff can follow as suits the situation: Geeky, specialized, diverse in a particular way, and so on. If I somehow ended up as a hiring candidate I'd be doing so much backgrounding on the organization that I'd have a full outline of everything I'd be getting from it every day I was there, and right through its implosion if needed. Really wish I had done this in the dot com era! Repellent to me, to give an example, would be a cultural mismatch based on factors that weren't accessible to me before interviewing, but which should have been. For example if I arrive on site with no accessible context to mull over beforehand, and the environment is extremely particular in a given way, that's really awkward to have to work through and can indicate an important but missed connection already. "Particular" could be: Most people here WFH except you, and it's a warehouse in a sketchy area; we are divided into two teams, and you'll be on the one that's more workaday and has to stand up much of the day; we have a warm-greetings environment and nobody is WFH because they all love being together, etc. Anyway. Just some thoughts, hope they can be helpful.