Andreessen Horowitz's Matt Oberhardt on Backchannels, MOC Interviews, and Exec Recruiting in 2024
Jan 18, 2024
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Matt Oberhardt, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses the complexities of executive recruiting, emphasizing the importance of precision in referencing and maintaining professionalism. He also provides advice for founders, talks about veterans transitioning into start-ups, and addresses the job market in 2024.
Build a network of trusted contacts for better quality referrals and references.
Talent partners assess soft skills to enhance executive recruitment and build networks.
Focus on outcomes and cultural fit when hiring executives to align with strategic goals.
Deep dives
Importance of Building a Network
One of the main pieces of advice for entrepreneurs is to focus on building a network of trusted contacts rather than cold calling or reaching out to unfamiliar individuals. By cultivating relationships with people who can provide valuable insights and information, entrepreneurs can gather meaningful and reliable feedback. This approach not only ensures better quality referrals and references but also avoids the negative consequences of carpet bombing someone's network.
The Role of a Talent Partner
The podcast episode features Matt Oberhart, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, who discusses the role of a talent partner in assessing and evaluating executives. Rather than functioning as mere recruiters, talent partners take on a more advisory position, focusing on being counselors and advisors to executives. They look beyond specific role requirements and assess soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and leadership abilities. By evaluating these qualities, talent partners help build executive networks and enhance the recruitment process.
The Mock Process for Executive Hiring
Matt Oberhart explains the concept of the mock process, a framework used by Andreessen Horowitz for executive hiring. The mock process involves clearly defining the mission, outcomes, and competencies required for a specific role. This approach ensures that candidates are interviewed and evaluated based on their ability to achieve the desired outcomes. By focusing on outcomes rather than a long list of responsibilities, companies can hire executives who are better aligned with their strategic goals.
Assessing Fit in Executive Hiring
The podcast highlights the importance of assessing cultural fit when hiring executives. It emphasizes the need to go beyond interviews and resumes, encouraging founders to create real-world working situations for candidates to showcase their abilities and fit within the team. Additionally, Matt Oberhart advises founders to leverage references for evaluating fit and compatibility, looking beyond the technical skills and exploring how candidates work with others and handle feedback.
Transitioning Veterans into Startups
There is a discussion about the potential fit between transitioning veterans and startups. Matt Oberhart highlights that the military experience of veterans prepares them well for the dynamic and resource-constrained environments often found in startups. The ability of veterans to lead teams, collaborate with diverse individuals, and accomplish common missions makes them valuable assets in the startup world. Recognizing their unique skill set and building networks within the veteran community can open up opportunities for both veterans and startups.
In this episode of HR Heretics, we have a conversation with Matt Oberhardt, partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), about the complexities of recruiting executives and finding talent. Matt explains the importance of precision in referencing and maintaining professionalism in recruitment processes. We also cover specific advice for founders, the transition of veterans into start-ups, and dealing with the 2024 macro and job market. Find the best fractional execs at Continuum: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9 HR Heretics is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co -- SPONSORS: Lattice | Continuum ✅ Discover HR software that drives performance with Lattice: https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics High performance and great culture should never be at odds; they’re better together. With Lattice People Management Platform, companies efficiently run people programs that create enviable cultures where employees want to do their best work. Serving 1000s of customers of all sizes. Learn why companies from Slack to the LA Dodgers choose Lattice. https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics ✅ Hire Fractional Executives with Continuum using this link: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9 Have you ever had a negative experience hiring executives? Continuum connects executives and senior operators to venture-backed tech companies for fractional and full-time roles. You can post any executive-level role to Continuum’s marketplace and search through our database of world-class, vetted leaders. There is no hidden cost, you only pay the person you hire. And you can cancel at any time. www.Joincontinuum.com – KEEP UP WITH MATT, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattoberhardt/ Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/ Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/ – LINKS: Andreessen Horowitz Exec Hiring Guide: https://a16z.com/executive-hiring/ – TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (03:21) Matt's Role at a16z and Approach in Talent Assessment (06:10) Balancing External and Internal Roles (07:35) Measuring Success in Talent Assessment (09:10) The MOC Process in Executive Hiring (15:02) Assessing Fit in Executive Hiring (18:39) Effective Reference Processing (22:25) Support our sponsors: Lattice | Continuum (24:35) Dealing with Negative References (26:48) The Importance of Nuance in Hiring (27:46) The Concept of Personal Growth in Candidates (28:43) Reengaging with Executives and Understanding Their Growth (29:56) The Challenge of Making Decisions as a Founder (37:44) The Role of Veterans in Startups (44:16) The Impact of Market Shifts on Hiring (46:49) The Challenge of Retaining Top Talent (50:55) The Value of Tough Feedback in Interviews
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