Y Combinator Startup Podcast How To Recruit The Best Engineers And Sales Reps
199 snips
Nov 7, 2025 
David Paffenholz, co-founder and CEO of Juicebox, discusses how early-stage startups can effectively recruit top engineers and sales reps. He emphasizes that hiring is about selling the company, not just interviewing. David shares strategies for appealing to candidates, highlighting how first hires shape company culture and velocity. He details the importance of personalized outreach and the different sourcing techniques for engineers versus AEs. With insights into crafting compelling emails and maintaining candidate relationships, David provides a roadmap for building a strong team.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
First Hires Shape Long-Term Culture
- Your first hires define culture, velocity, and the company's future direction.
- The first ~10 people shape company culture for the next ~50 people.
Candidates Weigh Tradeoffs Of Three Paths
- Candidates choose between big tech, growth-stage, or early startups based on trade-offs.
- Early hires accept high risk for high ownership and the largest equity grants.
Discover Their Career Preference Early
- Ask candidates which bucket (big tech, growth, startup) they prefer and why.
- Use that information to tailor your pitch and selling points.