
Y Combinator Startup Podcast #134 - Sarah Nahm and Holly Liu
Jul 10, 2019
Sarah Nahm, CEO of Lever and former Google employee, and Holly Liu, former co-founder of Kabam, delve into the intricacies of startup recruitment. They discuss how to craft job descriptions that highlight impact and why understanding career motivations is crucial. The duo also tackles the challenges of inclusivity in hiring and the need for cultural shifts within organizations. They emphasize the importance of open dialogue in fostering a diverse workplace while discussing the harmful stereotypes that can hinder progress in tech roles.
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From Design to Speechwriting to Founding
- Sarah Nahm studied design and intended to pursue design consulting, even "drinking the Kool-Aid" of design thinking.
- Her first job at Google as Marissa Mayer's speechwriter unexpectedly provided foundational experience for her future as a founder.
Proactive Recruitment is Key
- Startups should proactively recruit rather than passively posting jobs.
- Treat hiring as a core strategy, similar to customer acquisition.
Expand Your Sourcing Horizons
- Go beyond your immediate network when sourcing candidates.
- Explore meetups, Eventbrite, GitHub, and other platforms to discover talent.

