Getting your start at a startup is easier said than done. The hiring process isn’t the same as at a larger corporation. It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea either.
There’s a lot at stake when working to build a business from the ground-up and it’s easy to get burned. Luck and hard work are both key ingredients that determine success. There are no guarantees. Hard work can be calculated and self-driven but luck (some say) isn’t.
Okay, so maybe you think you DO make your own luck?!?
Well then, looks like we might have a true entrepreneur on our hands. That’s good. You’ll need that.
In fact, you’ll need some really specific things when interviewing for a startup. Consider the following when editing your resume and preparing for your interview.
You never know…it just may help you get hired.
1) Bring varied work experience and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Has your previous work experience required you to roll up your sleeves and bring a dynamic ‘all hands on deck’ approach to getting projects done? If you’re hired by a startup, you’ll need to work quickly, collaborate, and adapt to meet deadlines. To do this, you’ll need to fully understand what the other members of your team are doing –– and that’s only achieved if you’ve worked in a team or self-starter environment that required you to wear many different hats. In short: you need to have experience that allowed you to learn by doing.
2) Want to get on-board? Be a selective packer. i.e: Know what you’re bringing and what you can leave behind.
You can’t work in a fast-paced environment (with so much on the line) without a clear understanding of what you bring to the table. This requires honesty when it comes to establishing your weaknesses, just as much as your successes. In order to get hired, verse yourself on what you’ve done really well and what others can do way better than you. There’s no time for a know-it-all and someone who can’t play nice with team members because of their ego. This is your chance to shine, sure, but not at the expense of the success of the whole (as always). In this case, the team’s success could literally make or break the business.
3) Be a strategic dreamer.
Those who start businesses are visionaries. Those who succeed, are visionaries with a methodical and strategic plan –– deeply rooted in logic. Facts! We all need ‘em! If you’re someone that likes to think outside the box, conceptualize dynamic ideas, and isn’t afraid to push boundaries, you’ll thrive at a startup. Of course, so long as your ideas come with a game plan and clear strategy. In short: Dreams don’t come true unless the work you put in is carefully thought out beforehand.
4) Don’t be a clock puncher.
What’s that? You want to go in to work at 9 AM and leave by 5 PM with an hour lunch break, coffee breaks, and plenty of time for your post or pre yoga workout at Moksha Yoga? Cue the lack of applause from your team….a startup just isn’t for you. We repeat: if balance is your mantra, walk away from applying to a startup. True, many new businesses are working very hard to try to provide balance, but ultimately if you’re working for a true startup business there’s a (very) strong chance your 9 AM - 5 PM goals could be quickly squandered. If you still think working in this environment and achieving balance is possible, all we can say is do your research before the interview process and choose wisely.
5) Bring passion.
Before going into your interview learn everything you can about the business. It goes without saying that this is expected before any interview, but it couldn’t be more essential to a startup environment. Launching a new business requires passion and an armoury of knowledge about the industry or product that can woo any potential client or investor. Bring this know-how and passion to your interview and show a genuine excitement about the business.