I’m so over “Entrepreneurial Mindset” in hiring

Words have meaning you guys.

How many times have you heard someone say they want to hire someone with an “entrepreneurial” mindset?

Then at the same time have a laundry list of items they want someone to have deep experience with? Or very specific industry, product or service needs?

“Entrepreneurial” is one of those hiring terms where the actual meaning doesn’t fit the practical buzzword application. 

Actual meaning: someone who built a business from scratch. Which involves wearing a ton of hats. Solving new problems. Taking on a broad scope of responsibilities.

This person would have accumulated such breadth that it doesn’t fit squarely into the typical hiring profile at a firm with established structure. Example: when a company needs to hire their 10th salesperson, the person with a mix of sales, strategy, content, operations, and rev ops looks “unfocused.”

Buzzword meaning: Vibes. They worked at a few cool places that grew and seem kinda cool…

There’s two opposing takeaways here:

1. If you don’t actually want an entrepreneur, stop saying you do.

2. If you do want an entrepreneur, ditch the box checking. Focus on learning aptitude, intelligence, humility, creativity.

Equally important: why someone who can do a bit of everything well should want to join your firm in the first place. Someone who is actually an entrepreneur isn’t a joiner to begin with, unless you give them a really good reason.

Tldr I really hate that word in hiring. Happy Friday.

James Hornick

Partner at Hirewell. #3 Ranked Sarcastic Commenter on LinkedIn.