Start-ups have taken the world by storm: fun companies, promising upside, and the ability to learn and contribute right away. Yet, sometimes, finding the perfect job at a start-up can be difficult. Here are 5 tips for finding and landing a good start-up job.
- Go to Them, Because They Probably Won’t Come to You
Most companies with household names (Microsoft, Pepsi, etc.) have sites that are dedicated to people searching for careers at their organizations. However, if you want to work for the high-growth mobile app company that only has four employees…you’ll have to be proactive. That means, emailing any contacts you find on their company website or connecting with their employees on LinkedIn and shooting them a note. The point is to contact anyone in their small business and articulate that you’re looking for a job, and you would be a fantastic resource because of X,Y,Z experiences and skills
- Informality Can Be OK
One time I wore a charcoal suit and navy tie to an interview with a start-up company and they literally made me take the tie off mid-interview. They said I looked “too corporate”. Sometimes, smaller companies prefer a more informal recruiting experience because they want to see the real you, not just “interview-day” you. Always try to do some research on what’s appropriate to wear for your interviews, and don’t be afraid to ask your contact at the company if you’re lucky enough to get an interview. Also, for networking events or ad-hoc conversations, you may be able to dress down, too.
- Take a Deep Dive into Their Business and Their Industry
Start-ups can be an excellent place to work. They can provide you with an excellent pay-check, an equity stake in a company, and a career that will growth with you / propel you. That said, not every start-up turns into Facebook or Uber. It’s important to do your research on the company, the industry, and their competition. You should understand their product/service, their growth strategy, their funding, and, above all else, you should personally believe in the company and it’s future. You don’t want to be at a company hoping to cash-in, only for your position to be dissolved and you looking for another gig in two years.
- Truly Understand the Job and Responsibilities
Start-ups are known to have their employees wear a variety of hats – meaning, you might be juggling several jobs all at once. And that’s OK, if that’s what you want. But, you should always feel comfortable asking your potential employer what those jobs could be. As a general principle, it’s always good to know as much as you possibly can about the career or job you’re embarking on.
- Think Carefully About Your Negotiation
Let’s say you’re lucky enough to receive an offer to work at a start-up – congrats! Now it’s time to start critically thinking about your negotiation. First things first: don’t solely rely on this blog to negotiate – there are several free resources you can find online to help. There are negotiating guides, there are guides that let you know approximate equity offers given company size, there are average salaries for positions posted online. My two cents of advice: think about what you want to accomplish in the negotiation and start there: do you want more salary? More equity? Do you want to be able to work from home? Think critically about the elements that are most important to you, then use resources to craft your strategy.