First Hires Playbook

Overview

Your first 10 hires define your company's trajectory more than any product decision. The mistake: hiring generalists with "good vibes" instead of role-specific operators who can build the function from zero. This skill covers when to hire each critical first role, how to write job descriptions that attract builders (not corporate ladder-climbers), interview design, compensation, and offer construction.

Authoritative Foundations

• SaaStr/Jason Lemkin — First VP hiring benchmarks — First VP hiring benchmarks
• Elad Gil — High Growth Handbook (hiring executives) — High Growth Handbook (hiring executives)
• Molly Graham — Giving away your Legos (scaling teams) — Giving away your Legos (scaling teams)
• Patty McCord — Powerful (Netflix culture, hiring for density) — Powerful (Netflix culture, hiring for density)
• Claire Hughes Johnson — Scaling People (Stripe COO) — Scaling People (Stripe COO)
• First Round Review — Hiring playbooks — Hiring playbooks