A client of mine asked me this question just the other day.

How do I know when I should promote from within or just look to hire someone from the outside?

She has a team member that she is looking to promote, but wasn’t sure if that was the best option for all concerned.

There are two aspects here that you want to consider:

1. Start with the Job Description – you want to get crystal clear on what the role entails, and likewise what skills and experience you need someone to bring to the table.

   A common mistake that entrepreneurs make is fitting the role to the person VS. finding the right person for the role. Once you are clear on the role you can then decide if a current team member would be a good fit or not.

2. Find out what your team members want – are they interested in taking on more? What are their long term goals & aspirations? And do those fit with what you need?

   A common mistake that team members make is saying yes to an opportunity without really thinking it through. This can result in someone who takes on more than they can chew, or finds themselves doing work that they actually don’t enjoy.

At the end of the day it’s all about what does the business need and who will be the best fit. If you can promote someone from within that’s great! Likewise if there is not someone already on the team who fits don’t be afraid to go outside to find that right person.