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Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

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Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#11

Post by boxcardavin »

santiagobasulto wrote: post #9

Are you behind snap2print.me? Looks super cool. A good idea for sure.

Yep, it is pretty cool but the decision-makers at most of our client companies are slow to approve budgets for Snapchat. It has been fun to work on, it's our first big push into hardware so I've had a ball. We'd like to push our prices way down to hit weddings but our hardware needs to be overbuilt as all hell to handle the rigors of being shipped and handled by half-drunk wedding photographers :P

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#12

Post by bsbechtel »

Tell the hiring manager that companies aren't built to show career progression/build a resume, they're built to fill a customer need. You prefer to spend your time thinking about how to better fulfill your customer's needs than checking off boxes for your resume.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#13

Post by angersock »

lloyd-christmas wrote: post #4

> So, how does one communicate that they are hirable after running a semi-successful startup for years The fact that you've held a job for more than just 6 month stints is enough to push you all the way to the front of the line. Most applicants we see just do 6 months here and there. I refuse to hire anyone that hasn't stayed at a company at least 2 years (excluding new grads). 4 years is pretty much a unicorn nowada…

Out of curiosity, why do you think that that is?

How do you feel about that?

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#14

Post by Silhouette »

For what it's worth, I think your experience is a strong point to have on your resume. You have collectively demonstrated an ability to run profitable projects, over an extended period, doing everything that is necessary between you since there was no-one else to hide behind. That is more than many people in our business will achieve in their entire career. As long as you were all contributing substantially and can show that, just to avoid any perception that your team was actually built around one key person or anything along those lines, I expect you'll do just fine.

As an aside, not everyone is on LinkedIn, and those of us who aren't apparently can't see the profile you linked.

Also, full disclosure, it sounds like I'm a bit older than you but my background is somewhat similar, so my views here may be biased. But having sat on the hiring side of the table in various roles, I'd take demonstrated ability to get things done and build successful projects over some random progression of short term jobs with increasingly impressive-sounding job titles any day of the week.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#15

Post by vonmoltke »

lloyd-christmas wrote: post #4

> So, how does one communicate that they are hirable after running a semi-successful startup for years The fact that you've held a job for more than just 6 month stints is enough to push you all the way to the front of the line. Most applicants we see just do 6 months here and there. I refuse to hire anyone that hasn't stayed at a company at least 2 years (excluding new grads). 4 years is pretty much a unicorn nowada…

What specialty are you hiring for? Is it something about the people in that area? I have personally worked for two companies in my 14-year career, and most people I have worked with have had similar tenure lengths. I do embedded/systems/scientific-type work, though.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#16

Post by nilram »

Are you guys all agreeing to disband? I have heard that selling yourselves as a qualified, functional team can bring a higher value than each person solo. I guess acqui-hires are an example of that; maybe some of the recruiter types that have responded here have thoughts about how to initiate that dance.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#17

Post by imauld »

santiagobasulto wrote: post #9

Are you behind snap2print.me? Looks super cool. A good idea for sure.

That's a super cool product. Do you do long term setups? Like if a bar wanted to always have one, is that something you can accommodate?

Also, there is a typo in your FAQ, second question (Can I print without adding the printer as a friend?), account is misspelled in the answer.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#18

Post by ep103 »

lloyd-christmas wrote: post #4

> So, how does one communicate that they are hirable after running a semi-successful startup for years The fact that you've held a job for more than just 6 month stints is enough to push you all the way to the front of the line. Most applicants we see just do 6 months here and there. I refuse to hire anyone that hasn't stayed at a company at least 2 years (excluding new grads). 4 years is pretty much a unicorn nowada…

Heh, I've yet to work for a company where management stayed stabled for 2 years, 4 would be a pipe dream.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#19

Post by matco11 »

the definition of impressive resume depends on the purpose you want to achieve. There is not such a thing as THE impressive resume.

If you are looking for a certain job, you don't want a resume with a bunch of empty titles. You need a strong resume addressing the specific requirements of that particular job, in terms of skills and relevant experience.

Large organizations need both people that take care of the "ordinary business" and people that take care of "special projects", that are the doers, that figure things out by themselves: your startup experience automatically qualifies you for all the activities that require this second type of people.

Re: Ask HN: How do I write a resume after five years of a startup?

#20

Post by bwooceli »

Just do a "functional" resume. instead of titles "from 2010-2016", do "Selected Accomplishments" and categorize them.

Technical

* Implemented xyz process to reduce pdq by x%

Leadership

* Developed market strategy for team of y teams to improve market share by z% in 3 months

etc

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