My email to a potential new hire

I wrote this email, a sincere piece to my potential new hire.

When hiring at SushiVid, I wanted to know that the people we got shared the same goals, vision and and values as us.

Let me know what you think of it.

Hi X,

It was super nice to meet you that day and thank you for going through our little quizzes to ensure you’re a good candidate for SushiVid.

As you may know, we are a small company with 9 pax. What that also means is that, we may or may not always get it right with processes. We were probably more nervous than you during the interview :)

It is also Armand’s first time managing full time hires and I figured I should also say something when you’re considering us. After all, It’s entering a Long term relationship. Hopefully.

When building SushiVid, as my first startup, I wish for it to be a place people would feel comfortable enough — like going home. A place where you contribute as well as receive in return the knowledge that will take you to greater places. We love that our past developers have now progress to be CTOs of other startups, have received positions in other development houses. It means to me that you leave SushiVid to a better place.

The team, is made out of the most good hearted people I know. Everyone would sacrifice more than I could ever ask for in a team and in return, I too, would die to defend them. I am so blessed. Everyone who is in the team today, wants to see it succeed, wants to build a powerful business that changes the landscape of creators in Southeast Asia. We strive for the same goals. We work super hard and we, with our little quirks and warts and all get along and have become a big family.

A few things I need from you, if you are to join us:
1. Kindness — be considerate of others.
2. Team work — don’t be selfish and just do what you are asked, always help the other swamped colleague
3. Positivity — life is hard let’s not be negative
4. Get things done — finish things. Don’t leave multiple things hanging.
5. Accountability — if I count on you to finish it, it’s on you to finish.
6. No crazy OCD — We don’t want anyone who is super OCD about cleanliness or get grossed out easily. We have a big group of boys and a shared toilet. They are not dirty, but it’s not OCD friendly.
7. Animal haters not welcome — I build this company and thought I’d love that my dog never have to stay home waiting for me. I want that except he passed away. Still, we will be getting rabbits and animals. So no, we will cage you instead. Unless you have allergies.

When considering us, I need you to understand that I too am human, and will be hurt if we’re a stopover for you. Or worse, if this is just a job. It’s not just a job. We’re a wonderful place where a Super smart bunch of people get together to make stuff and build stuff. We don’t want anyone ever to feel dreadful to come to work.

Everything else, we can discuss but these things matter the most to me.

Hope this helps you decide.

Sincerely
Wen