Getting a job with a tech startup might prove different from getting a job at an established firm. Startups need a special class of employee who can combine creativity and innovation with hard work and long hours. Tech startup jobs can become extremely lucrative, however, because you’re getting in on the ground floor. If the company succeeds, you might find yourself in line for stock, bonuses, and other incredible benefits. First, however, you need to know how to get a tech startup job.
Tech startup jobs are fairly plentiful these days. Companies are materializing left and right, focusing on app building, new hardware, and dozens of other niches. If you want to get your own piece of the tech startup pie, follow these tips for nailing the job interview and getting that coveted offer letter.
Leverage your existing network
Reach out to the people you know when you’re looking for tech startup jobs. You might learn about a position that has not yet been advertised, which gives you an edge over your competition. In fact, someone in your network might even have recently started a tech company, so don’t neglect your email contacts, your connections on LinkedIn, and other potential acquaintances.
You can also ask for referrals from your contacts. Explain that you’re particularly interested in tech startup jobs, and you’d appreciate them passing on your contact information to any relevant business owners. Most people won’t take this extra step unless you specifically ask, so don’t be afraid to request help from the people in your network.
Publish your full resume on LinkedIn
Speaking of LinkedIn, don’t forget to update it so that it reflects your current job-search specifics. Gear your entire resume toward tech startups, focusing on your skill set and your particular objectives.
Additionally, use LinkedIn to peruse other professionals’ profiles, narrowing down the field to people who are interested in or working with tech startups. What information do they include? What do they omit?
After you update your resume on LinkedIn, update your regular resume, as well. Make sure they’re as close to identical as possible so you don’t dilute your personal brand. If a potential employer looks up your name on LinkedIn, you don’t want them to find different information than you included on your resume.
Familiarize yourself with new technologies
During your interviews for tech startup jobs, hiring managers will ask questions to gauge your familiarity with the latest technology. Not only do you need to know what technology the firm creates, but you also need to know its competitors. You’ll likely use other technology during the course of your job, so you’ll need to demonstrate a command of it during or after the interview.
The more you know about the latest technology news and advancements, the more valuable you become. Potential employers will see you as an asset because you can not only talk about those technologies, but also extrapolate information from them that might prove useful to your potential employer.
Research potential employers
In addition to researching technology, you also need to know as much as you can about any company that might want to hire you. When was it founded? Who are the principals? What are its goals? Can you describe the company culture, values, and mission statement?
The internet offers the most useful tool for this purpose. Read every page of the company’s website if you want to find a tech startup job. Learn as much as you can about how it functions, who it hires, and what its time frame looks like. Additionally, look it up on social media to see how it communicates with the public. You’ll learn key information that you can use during the interview process.
Understand the nature of startups
A tech startup doesn’t function the same way as an established business. It might still be in the prototype phase, for instance, with nothing to sell yet. Alternatively, it might have just brought its product or service to market. Whatever stage it’s in, it needs bright, innovative, creative employees who can help it grow and evolve.
However, you don’t want to join a tech startup that doesn’t fit with your personality and skill set. Remember that the interview process is a two-way street. If you don’t feel you’re a good fit for the position, withdraw your application and work elsewhere. Don’t let desperation lead you to a job that will prove detrimental to both you and the organization.
Find a tech startup job that’s right for you
As mentioned above, you can find a tech startup job that doesn’t fit with your specific goals and talents, but that won’t serve anyone involved. You want to look for tech startup jobs that will help you further your career and allow you to benefit the company. Here are a few tips to put yourself on the right path.
Clarify your personal and professional goals
Write down a list of things you want to achieve in the next year, five years, and 10 years. Go over the list and mark off any items that don’t really resonate with you, then add items that occur to you later. Do you see a pattern? Can you identify a market segment in which you might want to work or a company culture attribute that will serve you best?
If you don’t know your own goals, you can’t help a company achieve its objectives. You’ll want to find a tech startup job that aligns with your own personal aspirations.
Communicate your desires in terms of corporate culture
During the interview process, don’t be afraid to tell the hiring manager what you want out of the job. Maybe you thrive in collaborative environments, for instance. You might want to work in a shared office space instead of remotely because your extroverted personality needs connection. Alternatively, perhaps you want to work at a company that values its people over everything else. Let the hiring manager know.
When you interview the hiring manager at the same time he or she interviews you, the meeting becomes far more productive. You both get an idea of what the other wants and needs, which will allow you to find the best possible fit.
Prepare yourself for long hours
Remember that tech startups have lots of work ahead of them. They’re just getting started in the market, so they need their employees to put in long hours and hard work. You might have to take your work home with you at night, come into the office on the weekends, or answer phone calls at odd hours. If that lifestyle doesn’t appeal to you, working at a more established firm might be more practical.
However, you still need boundaries. When you meet with potential employers, let them know what hours you’re willing to work. If you know that you can’t perform your best on just a few hours of sleep, explain that you’ll be unavailable for specific hours during the night. You can also inform the employer about any religious observances or other obligations that might keep you out of reach at particular times.
Meet with the whole team
Tech startups are a little like families. Everyone works together in pursuit of the common good, and they often become friends as well as colleagues. If possible, ask to meet the entire team before you accept a job offer. You’ll learn how the employees communicate and interact with one another.
Plus, it gives you a chance to interview them. It’s not a formal interview, but rather a casual conversation. You can ask employees what they love about their jobs, for instance, to get a feel for the company culture and value system.
Leverage previous employment experience
Your work history can help you nab the job of your dreams. Make sure your history in the tech industry stands out on your resume, and that you highlight key responsibilities and skills that will help a tech startup advance more rapidly.
You can find a tech startup job easily if you follow the above tips, but remember that the job has to be a good fit for you, as well. Look for a company that will support your specific goals while you help it reach its objectives. That way, everyone walks away from the experience with a sense of fulfillment.