How to Land a Job at a Startup: Three Things You Need to Know

So you want to get a job at a startup.  Really?  How come?  Are you excited for the ping-pong, beer, and late night cram sessions?  If so, you may want to go back to college and consider pledging Delta Tau Chi because I think you may have mistaken a startup for a frat. 

If you want to get a job where you get to build something while professionally growing then a startup might be a good fit.  Here are a few things you should keep in mind when trying to break into the startup scene:

1.     It’s not about what you know.

There are plenty of people with extensive skills that aren’t a good fit for a startup.  Effectively run Startups are looking for more than just skills.  They want to know that their employees are curious (willing to learn), flexible (deal with uncertainty) and goal oriented (AKA GSD).  They also want to know that you are a good cultural fit.  You’re going to be spending more time with your co-workers than with your family so it’s important that get along. 

2.     I lied.  It’s kind of about what you know.

So remember how I said it wasn’t about what you know?  That was a lie.  As important as cultural fit is to getting hired, you also need to have a base level of skills to get hired.  Rapidly growing companies often lack the managerial bandwidth to focus on training you.  They want an employee who can “just get things done” with minimal input.   The expectation is that you’ll learn by doing but have to know where to start. 

3.     Network Shmetwork.  No seriously, network.

On average, 100 people will apply for each job posted online.  Of these people, approximately four to six people will receive a first round interview.  One to three of these people will make it to the second round of interviews.  One person will end up getting the job.   Do those odd make them sad to you?  They make me to sad too.  That’s why you need to network. 

I’m sure you have heard this before, but it is especially true for startups.  Here’s why: founders rely on their network when building a team.  Why? It’s pretty simple.  See bullet #1.  They need to know that the people they’re hiring will be a cultural fit and can be trusted.

At my last company, I hired numerous people.  I reviewed over 100 resumes for each posted position.  Who did I end up hiring?  People that I met through my network, which included the Startup Institute where I was teaching.  My network was so effective that for some hires I didn’t bother to post a job description.  Why waste time reviewing resumes when my network was strong enough to get me the people I needed?

So there you have it.  Getting a job you love at startup job is about your attitude, skills, and network.  Focus on those three and you’ll get there.

(Shameless self promotion: Startup Institute can help you focus on all three.  If you want to learn more, check us out at Startupinstitute.com.) 

-------Allan Telio is the Director of Startup Institute Boston.  Startup Institute is a career accelerator that helps people get a job at a startup.  The application deadline for the fall calls is Oct 6^th.