Many professionals want to know how to find a job in a startup due to their dynamic culture as well as potential for growth and innovation. The allure of joining a successful company on the ground floor and growing with it both financially and experience-wise is a big motivator.
In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of a startup job search. We’ll teach you how to determine whether a startup job is right for you, and how to find one if it is. We’ll also analyze some of the best and most common startup roles that you should consider, and show you how to future-proof your career following your role in a startup.
Key Takeaways
Startup jobs offer an opportunity for fast career growth and personal improvement, but come with increased risk of failure compared to a traditional company.
To see whether a startup job is right for you, perform a self-assessment to see if you’re adaptable, proactive, and comfortable with ambiguity and a lot of responsibility.
Good places to look for startup jobs include specialized online boards, but you can also leverage your professional network to discover additional opportunities.
Make sure to tailor your resume to the role that you’re after and to prepare for a startup interview.
Some of the most common roles in startups include software engineering, UI/UX design, data analysis, marketing management, and more.
How to Know If a Startup Job Is Right for You
To know whether a startup job is right for you, you need to understand its features. This includes determining the pros and cons of working at a startup.
The biggest benefits of finding a startup job include:
Startup Job Benefits
Opportunity for fast growth if the company takes off
Equity in the company whose value will grow over time
Participation in a dynamic environment where you can improve rapidly and gain invaluable skills and experience
The challenges and drawbacks associated with working in a startup include:
Startup Job Drawbacks
Risk of company failure and you being back to square one
Potentially demanding workload with long hours and complex tasks that can be outside your initial job description
Lack of established structure and processes can result in a more chaotic environment that requires frequent adaptation and adjustments
Once you understand these pros and cons, you need to conduct a self-assessment. Ask yourself the following questions:
Self-Assessment Questions
Am I adaptable? Startups frequently switch strategies, and you need to accommodate these changes.
Do I embrace ambiguity? You may have to make many decisions based on vague or incomplete data.
Am I a proactive problem-solver? Startups require individuals who can find effective and innovative solutions to their problems.
Am I comfortable with a lot of responsibility? It’s not uncommon for professionals in startups to work on multiple projects and have various roles in them.
How to Find a Job in a Startup
Here’s a step-by-step guide that will teach you how to get a job in a startup:
#1. Explore the Best Places to Find Startup Jobs
To find good roles in startups, you need to know where to look. One of the best ways to start is with online platforms dedicated to posting openings from new companies that actively seek talent. While going for general websites can still work, you will likely have to go through many more regular openings in established companies, which will take a lot of your time.
Some of the best job boards for startups include:
Best Startup Job Boards
Wellfound (formerly known as AngelList Talent). This website caters to both job seekers and recruiters. Recruiters can post jobs and find global talent quickly, while applicants can apply for openings directly, save them for later, or even explore trendy startups.
Y Combinator (YC). YC is a highly focused startup-oriented company that runs three-month programs during which it helps startups take off. It lists many positions in the UI/UX design, product-oriented, recruiting, sales, and science industries.
CrunchBoard. CrunchBoard is an online job board for tech, startup, and engineering jobs. Its intuitive interface allows you to effortlessly find positions based on keywords, location, and distance from you.
#2. Tailor Your Resume for a Startup Role
It’s essential to tailor your resume for a startup role, as generic resumes won’t optimally convey details about your skills and experience. Recruiters for startups look for candidates who understand their company, the role, and the challenges associated with working in these organizations.
That’s why you want to meticulously read the job ad and research the company. The skills and requirements you find will be used as keywords for your resume.
One of the best startup resume tips that will help you maximize your chances of success is to use a software builder, like the one at Resume.co. Not only will it ensure a professional format and layout, but our AI assistant will help you optimally implement the keywords you discovered. That way, your startup resume will grab the reader’s attention and pass the ATS scan.
#3. Highlight the Skills Startups Value Most
There are certain skills that startups value highly, even if they aren’t explicitly mentioned in job descriptions. These are the skills that help professionals navigate fast-paced and volatile environments. Demonstrating them in your resume and interview for a startup will put you ahead of the competition.
Some of the most sought-after soft skills include adaptability and resilience. They allow individuals to handle ever-changing work conditions and remain productive. Collaboration and communication skills are just as important, especially in lean teams, and so are initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
On the flip side, hard skills will depend on your industry and the role you’re after. In general, proficiency in digital tools and AI technologies is at the core of many startups.
#4. Network Within the Startup Ecosystem
Professional networking is a critical component of any job search, but even more so when looking for a role in a startup. Your connections can open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised anywhere or present on any job boards. Moreover, if someone from your network refers you, this can help you skip several steps in the hiring process.
A simple way to start is via LinkedIn networking, where you can connect with others and actively engage with them through messages or public posts. Other startup networking tips include expanding your circle further by going to other online platforms, forums, and social media, attending industry-related meetups, going to conferences, and so on.
#5. Prepare For Your Interview
A startup interview is usually different from interviews at larger, established corporations. Its focus will be much more on your cultural fit, passion, and alignment with the company’s values, and not just your skills and experience.
That’s why you need to be prepared for plenty of behavioral and situational questions designed to assess your teamwork capabilities, problem-solving skills, and adaptability.
Common startup interview questions include “Why do you want to work for a startup?” and “Tell me about a time you took an initiative.” Researching the company and preparing answers in advance will allow you to position yourself as an adept professional who is genuinely interested in the role and understands the challenges they will face, should they get it.
#6. Leverage Social Media
Social media can be a powerful and versatile tool for those looking to get hired at a startup. You can use these platforms for much more than networking. Many startups will regularly post on their social media accounts, allowing keen job seekers to find openings that haven’t yet been advertised anywhere else.
Additionally, you can use these platforms to communicate directly with the members of startups you want to join, building rapport and increasing your chances of success.
Social media is also great when you’re researching a startup. Many of these organizations post about their team, work, culture, and projects, providing information you can’t find anywhere else. You can use this information when writing your resume and cover letter or when preparing for an interview.
#7. Demonstrate Passion Through Personal Projects
Using personal projects is a great way to demonstrate job-specific knowledge and skills when you don’t have work history. It shows a proactive approach to your career and a genuine passion for the craft, helping you get a job in a startup with no experience.
Personal projects will depend on your industry and skill set. If you’re a software engineer, you can design a website or develop an app; designers can create portfolios of their work; writers can show their blogs and newsletters. Even a small online business that you started can be proof that you have initiative and can execute on an idea.
10 Startup Roles to Consider
There are startups in many industries, and they hire diverse talent to fulfill various roles. Here are some of the most common:
Software engineer. Software engineers build and maintain the company’s digital products and technology infrastructure. The average salary for these professionals in startups is around $102,000.
UI/UX designer. These designers create intuitive, aesthetic, and user-friendly interfaces for websites and applications. They can expect the average salary of around $78,000 in a startup.
Data analyst. Data analysts clean up and interpret data to extract meaningful insights and help drive business decisions. Their average salary in startups is around $120,000.
Marketing manager. Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns. For this, they can expect the average salary of $85,000 per year.
Content strategist. These professionals create engaging content that the company uses to interact with its audience through social media, websites, and more. Their average salary is similar to that of a marketing manager.
Product manager. Product managers conceptualize products and define strategies before managing teams to bring them to life. The annual salary is around $112,000.
Sales manager. Sales managers lead sales teams to hit targets and grow the company's revenue. Their average salary is around $89,000 per year.
Business development manager. These managers directly influence business growth by looking for enticing business opportunities and partnerships. Their salary is tied to performance and often comes with a commission structure.
Operations manager. Operations managers oversee day-to-day operations in a company to ensure productivity and efficiency. Their average annual salary within startups ranges between $113,000 and $119,000.
Customer service manager. These professionals are responsible for building and maintaining positive relationships with clients. The average salary for a customer service manager in a startup is similar to that of other operations roles.
How to Future-Proof Your Career After a Startup Job
While working for a startup comes with various risks, it can also be a powerful stepping stone in your career and an exceptional catalyst for long-term growth. Many skills and experiences that you obtain will be highly transferable, helping you apply for much larger and more established companies in the future.
A fast-paced startup environment will significantly improve your adaptability and problem-solving skills. Additionally, working jobs where tasks and responsibilities often shift will make you more versatile.
Another big advantage of working in a startup is that you’ll be able to build an impressive portfolio of results. Since you’ll typically be a part of a smaller team, your contributions will have a big impact on the outcome. By documenting these results, you’ll create resumes and portfolios that grab attention.
Lastly, the connections you make at your startup job can often last a lifetime and result in many future opportunities. Startup teams and communities are often tight-knit, and the relationships you build with colleagues, mentors, and other professionals can be beneficial for years to come.
Create an Impressive Startup Resume with Resume.co
Use Our Resume BuilderClosing Thoughts
Now that you know how to find a job in a startup, you can take advantage of its potential and jumpstart your career journey. Remember to focus on highly sought-after soft skills, like problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability, and don’t forget to research the company to demonstrate genuine interest in its culture and values.
Once you have all the necessary information, you can head to our resume builder to create a job-winning document. You can also check out our article on the most common interview questions to prepare for a meeting with recruiters and leave a positive first impression.
How to Find a Job in a Startup FAQ
#1. Is working at a startup risky?
Working at a startup is typically riskier than working at an established company, as there is a higher chance of failure and more uncertainty. However, the growth potential is also much higher, and you’ll gain invaluable experience, regardless of the startup’s success.
#2. What skills are needed for startups?
Startups require a combination of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are industry-specific, with some of the most sought-after revolving around digital tools and AI. Highly desired soft skills include adaptability, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and initiative.
#3. How do I pick a startup to join?
When picking a startup to join, you want to evaluate multiple aspects, including its growth potential, funding, and company culture. You also want to research the founders to analyze their background and experience to get a complete picture and make the best assessment possible.
