How to get a job working at a startup

Do you have a passion for technology? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment? Are you looking for an opportunity where your skills are applauded and your ideas are valued? If so, a career at a startup may be the answer for you. There are tons of benefits that come with working at a startup. The biggest one is the lack of seniority hierarchy. Everyone has equal access to everything, which means everyone can pitch in on any project and get their hands dirty as much as they’d like without feeling like they’re being left out. This helps foster innovation and creativity amongst staff and employees alike. Working at a startup is also very flexible; most startups let their employees work from home or remote jobs frequently which means employees can choose to work wherever they prefer, whether that’s from the comfort of their home office or while traveling.

What do you need to get a job at a startup?

The first thing to keep in mind when looking to get a job at a startup is to realize that startups are usually in the process of growing. Therefore, you will be interviewing for a position that may not exist tomorrow. That being said, you will need to demonstrate the following traits:

Be Passionate - If you don’t have any passion for technology or startups, then the long hours and intense work environment will likely feel meaningless.

Be open-minded and willing to try new things, but make sure that you are genuinely interested in the company and the industry.

Be Sharp - While startups may not be as formal as a large corporation, they are still a competitive environment. If you come across as being wishy-washy or unsure about certain things, then you are only going to hinder your chances of landing the role.

Be a Team Player - As an employee, the best thing you can do is help your company grow and be successful by working together with your colleagues to create great products or find new business opportunities.

Research your top options

Now that you have your cover story figured out, the next step is to research the companies that interest you. Start by going to Crunchbase and reading up on each company you’re interested in. What are their investors like? What are their competitors like? What are their financials like? What are their main products? How are they positioned in the market? Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll be a step closer to understanding the company and making a decision about which one to apply to.

Write a detailed, tailored resume

This is a resume for the digital age, not for the analog age. Make it easy for a hiring manager to see how your skills match up with their company and how your experience will help them achieve their goals. Put your cover story in the resume. If there is any useful info you’ve gathered about the company, be sure to add it to your resume. Also include any relevant experience you’ve had along with information about your skills, awards, or anything else that you feel is important to be included.

Talk to everyone you know

You don’t have to make friends with everyone you meet, but you should definitely talk to as many people as you can who work in your industry. Start small by going to an industry conference and sitting down to have a beer with some of the professionals you meet. Why is this important? Networking is a skill that can help you out in almost any situation. You never know who knows someone who is important to your career. Worst case scenario, you’ve made a new friend (and possibly a fellow mentor in your future) and best case scenario, you’ve been introduced to someone you know who can help you on your journey.

Establish connections with your target company’s employees

If you’re looking for a specific company to apply to, you may want to consider establishing connections with the employees at that company. This can be done through social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter, or indirectly through a common friend or colleague. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when establishing connections with the company’s employees. First, be mindful of the company’s social media settings. You don’t want to go overboard and post something that could be viewed as inappropriate. Second, make sure that you are genuinely interested in the company and what they do. If you’re finding it difficult to connect with the people at that particular company, try reaching out to someone you do know who works at the company and see if they can help you out.

Pro tip: if your target startup is in the earliest day (seed stage or series A) the co-founders or CEO is likely the best person to reach out to, and in many instances the only person you will interview with. Make sure to send them a detailed email on how you found them, and what value you would bring to their open role. This will go a long way since startups as a whole are less known than their larger big tech competitors that get hundreds of applications per opening weekly. Your chance of being seen is much higher!

Stay positive and be proactive when you apply

If you want to get a job at a startup, it’s important that you are proactive about finding opportunities to connect with the employees at various startups. This can be done through social media platforms such as Twitter or LinkedIn, and indirectly through a common friend or colleague. It’s also important that you are staying positive when applying to opportunities. After all, you’re applying to companies that don’t necessarily have a spot open right now. And while you can’t control whether you are offered the opportunity or not, you can control how you present yourself and how you act. Keep in mind that startups are usually not looking for any specific experience or job title. They are more interested in the person’s potential and what they can do for the company. That being said, make sure that you highlight these qualities in your resume and application materials.

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