---
title: "Move the people you have before you hire"
description: "The skill someone already has is worth more than the job title they arrived with. Move people before you hire."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/lessons/move-the-people-you-have-before-you-hire/
updated: 2026-10-25
---

# Move the people you have before you hire

> How should a new Head of Content handle the team they inherit?

The skill someone already has is worth more than the job title they arrived with. Move people before you hire.

At Heath Media I inherited three people: an editor, a videographer and editor, and a social media manager. All three roles changed. Only one new hire followed.

| Person | Was doing | Moved to | Why |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The editor | One channel | A different channel | His expertise had more leverage there |
| The social media manager | Social | Short form content producer | He understood the paid ads niche better than I did |
| The videographer and editor | Editing | Editorial direction | He was strongest at storytelling, so he set standards across a growing team |
| A new hire | | Social media manager | To take the role the short form producer left |

## What is the pattern?

The skill someone already has is more useful than the job title they arrived with. Two of the three moves were sideways. The one promotion, into editorial direction, was into a role that only existed because the team grew.

And I moved a person into the short form role because he understood the niche better than me. Say that out loud.

## Questions

### What should you do before hiring?

Move the people you have into the jobs their skills fit.

### How many hires followed at Heath Media?

One. Three inherited roles changed first.

### What is the pattern?

The skill someone already has is more useful than the job title they arrived with.