Bottom Resume Storytelling Test
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Sam Parr shares his method for finding and evaluating top talent, particularly for content and editorial roles. Here's his approach to building successful teams.
Talent Sourcing Methods
- Found people through multiple channels:
- Mutual connections and referrals
- Social media (found Steph through Twitter/her blog)
- Industry connections
- Direct applications
Evaluation Process
- Focuses on the bottom fourth of resume
- Looks at college classes and activities
- Tests candidates' ability to entertain during interviews
- Values storytelling abilities
- Emphasizes cultural fit with company tone/voice
- Leader sets the tone initially
- Attracts like-minded people who match the culture
Team Building Philosophy
- Accepts high churn as normal in editorial industry
- Cycles through many candidates to find top performers
- Uses "try it and see" approach with new hires
- Comfortable with mutual separations if fit isn't right
Post-Hire Strategy
- Goes "all in" on proven performers
- Gives significant autonomy to proven team members
- Treats top performers as "made" people
- Provides strong support for their initiatives
- Different treatment levels based on track record
- Proven performers get immediate support for new ideas
- Unproven team members must show MVPs first
Key Success Factors
- Setting strong cultural foundation
- Willingness to cycle through candidates
- Heavy investment in proven performers
- Focus on storytelling abilities
- Emphasis on cultural alignment
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.