Two Hiring Tips from Successful Executives

When it comes down to it, you'll look back on your hires as employees who either pushed the company forward or brought it back a few steps. Every business wants to hire an all-star worker who will single-handedly fill in the gaps and help the company move past its competitors. However it takes a certain type of person to accomplish that and a specific style of recruiting to find him or her.

Here are some tips from executives who have perfected the hiring process and now share their advice with the world:

1. Look for passionate talent
Years of experience and accolades are nice résumé builders, but a company needs more than that to get it to the next level.

"As a founder, I look for two things when hiring," Ellen Johnston, founder of Makr, told Entrepreneur. "Talent and ability are critical, but I've found enthusiasm for the product to be equally important. If people aren't excited—really excited—about the vision and working on the team, it's hard to create the most innovative products."

2. Develop an irresistible culture
The atmosphere in an office is becoming extremely important in this day and age—especially with websites like Glassdoor that allow employees to review the company. If your business is a place where people go to put in their eight hours and don't care about the relationships they make, prospective candidates will take notice and won't want to work there.

"I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people," Lawrence Bossidy, former COO at General Electric, said. "At the end of the day, you bet on people, not on strategies."

Implement programs aimed at developing a community within the office to support the creative people you've hired. Supply office amenities like fresh fruit and a lounge area for when people get stressed out. Make them feel like they're at home, not just at their job.

By creating a culture that strives to grow and develop employees—not just use them for their skills— a company is creating a breeding ground for passionate talent. Elite candidates like to work at places where the work matters just as much as the employees, and by following these tips your company will be well on its way to doing so.