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Startups can be intimidating, especially if you're coming from a more traditional, corporate environment. They can also be an incredible learning experience with lots of opportunity for growth. Whether you're right out of school or looking for a culture change, getting a job at a startup isn't an impossible feat.
At a recent event, representatives from four Austin companies talked about what it's like to break into the Austin tech scene. Christine Lee, Director of Recruiting at SmarterHQ, Kristi Morris, Recruiter at Signpost, Lisa Roberts, VP of Marketing at Edgecase, and Mario Espindola, SW Managing Director at Betts Recruiting gave us their do's and don'ts:
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Don'ts
1. Don't "dog" past jobs. Panelists emphasized that instead of bad mouthing previous jobs and job experiences, turn that interview question into an opportunity to recount a positive, learning experience.
2. Don’t comment “I am happy where I am.” Why are you applying for a new job, then?
3. Don't apply to 7 positions at one company. Only apply to one position unless the company is 300+ on average or else the recruiter may deem you as someone who doesn't know what to do career-wise.
4. Don't discount real life applicable experiences. Add some color and don't be afraid to talk about your other interests and hobbies. Play in a band? Travel enthusiast? Mention it to give a greater understanding of your personality and strengths.
Do’s
1. Trust the recruiter you're working with. Like Vegas, it’s a commonly accepted rule that what happens during an interview, stays in an interview. Don't be hesitant because you're fearful that taking an interview may lead to your present employer discovering. They don't want to lose a possible candidate either.
2. Be authentic and talk about what you know. Does the company really like sloths (Clearblade) or craft beer (mostly every startup)? Chat about how important culture is to you and how you'd fit in well there.
3. Ask advanced questions. Go beyond the bullet points to find out more about the position, company, and the recruiter.
4. Discuss trends and realtime industry topics. Know the tools the company use and demonstrate your knowledge of their uses. Read tech news related to the company and be able to speak to current trends.
5. Dress to impress. Sure, startups are casual, but the interview is a time to really make an impression.
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