What Makes a Successful
Hiring Plan?

As a former climate tech CEO, those hiring headaches were all too familiar. A more strategic, organized process could have helped me avoid those mistakes, which is exactly why I started Berkner Group.

Here are three core components of a successful hiring plan:

The Scorecard: Simply creating a wishlist job description of what you’re looking for can make it seem like you have unrealistic expectations or are not in touch with market realities. Candidates may write you off as another employer looking for a purple unicorn. Instead, create a detailed scorecard. Define what’s truly required, what’s almost required, and what’s desired. This helps you and your recruiter stay grounded in reality and focused on the candidates most likely to drive your mission forward.

Clear Process. Clear Results: Map out your interview process before posting the job. Who will conduct the first call and the second interview, when will candidates visit in person, and who will make the final decision? Define a realistic timeline for your search, with realistic milestones (e.g., 3 finalists in 7 weeks). This ensures everyone is aligned and, more importantly, you respect candidates’ time, which helps you stand out in a competitive market. 

Recruiters Are Your Competitive Advantage: The best recruiters are an extension of your team. Collaborate with them! They can bring you insights you can’t google, including compensation trends specific to your niche, competitor hiring tactics, and what truly drives the unique talent you’re looking for. Strong recruiters ensure a professional and positive candidate experience throughout the process, building long-term goodwill for your brand – even with those not selected. Educate them on your company vision and goals so they can get the search right the first time. 

Next up: Building Brand Awareness and Credibility. We’ll cover what matters (and what doesn’t) when building a brand that attracts climate tech professionals.

Curious about our scorecard? Connect with us, and we’d be happy to walk you through our process. In the meantime, you can download our reference check template to help you better assess candidates: Sign up to get access to our reference check template and guides on interviews

–Chris Berkner, CEO of Berkner Group