How to Find a Job at a Startup by Lindsay Majane (9.24.14)

How to Get a Job at a Startup
@startupinst startupinstitute/startupinstwww.startupinstitute.com
September 24, 2014

Lindsay Majane
Director of Product Marketing, Cravelabs
About Me
Prior to joining CraveLabs, Lindsay worked in
account services at large and small advertising
agencies in Boston and attended the Technical
Marketing program at Startup Institute. When not at
the office, Lindsay can be found at various tech-
related events in the Boston community.
@lindsaymajane

Agenda
I. Practice your introduction
II. Develop a strategy
III. Building your network
IV. Figure out if they’re hiring
V. Ask how you can help
VI. Org mapping
VII. Dos and Don’ts
VIII. What startups look for

The cold, hard truth - part I
Jobs only get posted after a startup has exhausted their
personal network. That’s why a personal connection beats a
perfectly-polished resume.
Every time.

The path to a job posting
at a startup:
“We should hire someone to help with overseeing the widgets.”
“Hey, trusted coworker: do you know anyone who would be good for this role?
“Hey, trusted network: I’m getting desperate...do you know any good
people I should talk to?”
“<SIGH>, Hey, Internet, I’ve exhausted all other options: help
me find someone….NOW”

“If your first question for me is "What does your company do?" you can bet
that I’m drawing a big red X through your name.” (https://www.linkedin.
com/pulse/article/20140705055830-52594-the-five-deadliest-job-interview-mistakes)
Lindsay’s favorite question: “So you’re really interested in advertising? Tell me
about an advertising campaign you’ve seen recently that you thought was
really smart or noteworthy.”
The cold, hard truth - part II
If you have to...fake it ‘til you make it.
[But put a lot of effort into faking it.]

Practice your 30 second pitch.
○ Make it brief
○ Make it positive
○ Make it non-linear (highlight what’s important)
Don’t be afraid to tell people what you’re looking for.
○ Specifics make you more memorable, and make it easier
for someone to pair you with an opportunity.
Introductions

What do you want to be doing?
Where do you want to be?
What tasks do you enjoy doing most?
What industry do you want to be in?
What short term goal will help you achieve your long term goal?
Develop a Strategy
Long term vs. Short term

Industry?
People?
Role?
What matters most to you?
This may help you narrow your search.

Networking events
(Bostinno, Greenhorn, Venturefizz)
Never leave a meeting without intros
> Follow up! The intros go stale after a while.
Internships & being willing to volunteer
Get to know them
They didn’t know they were hiring until they met you...
How to build your network

Event networking
○ Going to events, lectures, panels, conferences, etc.
One-on-one networking
○ Sending emails, phone calls, coffee meetings, etc.
Hint: the more you do it, the easier it gets.
Types of networking

If you’re working full time: Try to do one
networking event per week to start. Go for quality
over quantity.
If you’re unemployed: get after it. This is your job
now.
How do I fit it in?

Resources:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Google (news, website, etc.)
Crunchbase
Github
...the interwebs
Energy in = Energy out
What can you learn about a person, a company, and
an industry before a meeting?

It’s not all about them.
It’s about how YOU can help THEM.
Be proactive!
Let’s get serious
You found a company you like. You met someone for
coffee. You got along great. Who makes the next move??

“Is there anyone else at your company you think I should talk to?”
“What’s the best way to check in to know if you have new positions opening?”
“Is there anything I can help you with? A special project? Research? A blog
post?”
Show you’re interested. Don’t tell.
The asks (post-meeting)

Raising $$$ means they
are hiring.
Startups are always
looking for great people.

1. Search your network for any possible connections and directly
ask for an intro.
2. Pick a person of your similar level and reach out to them to
ask for a coffee meeting.
3. Send your resume into the general email address with a short
intro, what you’re looking for, and how you can help.
So you think they’re hiring…
now what?

The Business Model Canvas
How do they
operate?
Don’t just
describe their
product/service.
Download Here.

You can map everyone
This is much different than big companies.
[Hint: ask for help if you have a trusted friend who
knows more than you do!]
...The map isn’t complicated.

● Cut-and-paste email template: “Hi, my name is Sally and I like what
your company does…”
● LinkedIn me before you’ve met me.
● Show up at my office.
● Use terms incorrectly.
● Assume that I have free time. “Do you have 10 free minutes…”
● Ask if my office has [insert cheesy startup perk like foosball, beer, etc.]
● Forget to thank someone and follow up after they’ve introduced you
to someone.
Things not to do

● Learn a bit about my industry and the current trends/news.
● Take a stab at a plan or an idea. And ask me what I think.
● Be interested. Listen and ask questions about what I’m saying.
● Let me vent (this is a great way to understand how you can
help!)
● Be open to temp-to-perm, or even ‘yeah, stop by tomorrow’.
The best way to get in the door is to prove yourself.
Things to do

● Growth mindset
● Asking for help
● Emotional intelligence
● Pay it forward
● Share your network
● Be a student & teacher
● Represent yourself accordingly
What Startups Look For
● Take risks
● Draw the f*cking owl
● Humility
● Always learning
● Courage … Stretch
● Mutual Respect
● Uncertainty

How to Find a Job at a Startup by Lindsay Majane (9.24.14)

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