The Strategist

Zuckerberg reveals his hiring strategy at Facebook



03/11/2015 - 06:07



Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has spilled out a valuable hiring strategy he uses in his company while speaking at the Mobile World Congress keynote earlier this week in Barcelona.



Though the social media czar touched points on his Internet.org initiative, telecom operators  and expanding Internet access, his hiring strategy was so unique and practical that it was widely circulated through online media.

During a Q&A round, Zuckerberg was asked on how he hires his direct reportees at Facebook and he replied that he always poses one simple question to himself: Would he be willing to work for that person, if the roles were reversed?

He also cleared any misconceptions soon and pointed out that he had no idea to replace himself. He said: "I've developed over time a simple rule. I will only hire someone to work directly for me if I would work for that person. And it's a pretty good test."

He further added: "If you're building a big organization, then it also works many layers down. If each person is only hiring people to work directly for them who they would work for, then you're probably going to get a pretty strong organization." He pointed out Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg as an example and even noted that he considers her a mentor.

The Facebook founder explained that every company faces a situation where they have to recruit someone even if they are not the best of the pool due to the mounding amount of work that needs to be completed. He finds that this rule helps him to keep a check so the company only hires the best people despite the pressure.

In another round of advice meant for youngsters, he told them to have confidence. “Don’t discount yourself, no matter what you’re doing. Everyone has a unique perspective that they can bring to the world,” he said.

Zuckerberg himself was 19 when he founded his company in his dorm room at Harvard University. With this leverage, he has always been encouraging youngsters to not hold themselves back.

Reference: http://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2015/03/05/mark-zuckerbergs-only-rule-for-hiring-at-facebook/