8 Tips For Landing The Perfect Startup Job

After reading Benjamin Yoskovitz’ post, "6 Tips for Hiring Top Talent at Startups" it occurred to me that while informative, the vast majority of people out there are more likely to work for a startup than to found one.

That being the case, I’ve put together list of tips for kick starting a startup career.

1. Know where to look. While sites like VentureLoop and StartUpers are a great place to begin, most startups have the cash to advertise their vacancies. The best place to look for a startup job is usually on the site of one. Like Tumblr? Check out Davidville’s site. Another great place to look for startup jobs are on the pages of the companies that fund them. Ex. Both Sequoia Capital and The Mayfield Fund have job boards set up.

2. Work connections. The first thing I do when I come across a job or someone sends me an RFP is to check LinkedIn to see if I’ve got a foot in the door already. Your social network is probably your single greatest asset when it comes to getting the scope (and sometimes hookup) on a job. Use it!

3. Don’t burn bridges. This one should be obvious yet I find myself continually amazed at the number of people who choose to leave a company on bad terms. A job you can’t get a reference for is one you may as well never had. A little class can go a long way but a good reference can go even further.

4. Send an email first. While most places will tell you to just send a cover letter and CV, don’t. Find someone within the company (preferably the person in charge), and drop them a line. Making contact with an actual human being (regardless of the size of the company) is the best first step and increases the chances of your resume actually being looked at exponentially.

5. Do your homework before throwing your name into the hat. Applying for a job you’re not qualified for with a company you know nothing about is not only a waste of that company’s time, but a black mark on your professional reputation.

6. Write your resume for the job. If you’re submitting the same resume to every job you’re interested in, you’re selling yourself short. Most vacancy announcements list a set of criteria and requirements for candidates which a company is looking for. Your resume should be tailored to highlight how your experience meets the company’s needs.

7. Don’t be the only one answering questions in the interview. Several months ago I had the pleasure of talking to the CEO of a niche wiki company after inquiring about a vacancy he had advertised (see #4). While the position he’d advertised for wasn’t anywhere near up my alley, his pitch was compelling enough that I still wanted to talk to him. After almost two hours on the phone I didn’t have a job, but I did have a great new business connection. To get interest, show interest.

8. Get paid. While it’s generally considered taboo to broach the subject of money with an employer, IMO it’s a little different when dealing with a startup. While I’m a relatively young guy, I’ve had two separate experiences where I’ve signed on to work with a startup only to get stiffed on payment after a full month’s work. The first time I stayed on only to get stiffed again, the second I jumped ship immediately. Don’t sacrifice your own financial security for someone else’s dream.

Choosing the startup life isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. The hours are long, the stress is high, and as one of only a handful of people who both success and failure can be attributed to, the spotlight’s always on. Yet, for all that pressure, the rewards that come with the variety of work, creative latitude, and sense of personal accomplishment are indescribable. Good luck and happy exit.

With several years of startup experience already behind him, Rick Kenney is a senior Mass Comm. student and Marketing Intern with The Participatory Culture Foundation, the people behind Miro.