Get That Startup to Hire You: Tips, No Tricks
Aiman Kabli
Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs & Ecoystems to Flourish & Succeed | Serial Founder, Investor, Mentor, Author & Speaker
When you’re job-hunting, chances are you’ll do multiple interviews, and one of them might be with a startup that you really want to get into. Unique work culture, jeans and a tee to work, share-benefits, bean bags and cool loft offices sound great to most people. But to get into a startup, you have to ‘fit in’, and ‘stand out’, all at the same time. Once you’re in, it can be an intensely rewarding journey, but how do you ensure you get in?
Do your homework, be honest, dress appropriate, be on time - sure. But here’s a few strange extras:
- Be a little overconfident – You have just the one shot, don’t under-promise. Punching above your weight class, they call it.
- Personalise your pitch – startups don’t hire mechanically. Show them why it should be you, and why you want it to be them.
- Prepare for criticism – both give and take. This is likely to be one of the frankest interviews you’ll ever take.
All in all, don’t treat it like just another job interview. If it is, then it’s likely you might not enjoy the job as much as you think you will. It’s a lot of work – a lot. And the bean bags stop being so cool after a while.
Business Development in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
8yNitin Bhalla Read this :)
helps you optimise fundraising and strategy Angel Syndicates and micro VC studio focusing on Neurodivergence Multiple abilities Social enterprise Typically pre or idea startups with the potential to scale
8yNice article Aiman, particularly the closer re beanbags - gives food for thought: style may be necessary, but substance is paramount thus it's far better to work for a company that has long term vision that aligns with one's values, than to follow hype.
IT solutions and project management, Banking, Insurance, ERP, VC
8yIt is also important to show your uniqueness, What values you can add to the company. But not average, common sayins, but be as specific as possible. If you did your homework, you can have some guessing what challenges the company is facing, try to give solutions! Be creative ! Be amitious! Be brave ! Even though you probably do not hit the bullseye with your solution, but it shows that you are really thinking and you care about the company. Thus showing your added value, and increasing your chance for hiring.