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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?

#91

Post by raverbashing »

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…

> I refuse to hire anyone that hasn't stayed at a company at least 2 years (excluding new grads)

Then you're selecting for people that care more about a paycheck than the work they're doing

Also, I was let go after a couple of months in a small company because they closed the office I worked on, my fault I guess

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

#92

Post by raverbashing »

flukus wrote: post #46
GFK_of_xmaspast wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've found that the type of person who "[doesn't] put up with crappy work environments" is often the type of person who finds all sorts of perfectly fine work environments to be crappy.

I'm that person. For me it's the code quality, attitude and direction that matter the most. There is an awful lot of terrible code out there and an awful lot of companies that are either oblivious to it or lying about it until post hire. I can handle terrible code, but if there isn't a solid plan in place to improve it for whatever reason (or if it's getting worse) then I'm out of there.

> There is an awful lot of terrible code out there

There's also a lot of finicky people that think good code is only if it matches exactly their preferences

Also they're usually prone to believing Uncle Bob BS

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

#94

Post by riskneural »

curiouslurker wrote: post #70
lintiwen wrote: post #66

You don't need that. Anyone with basic understanding of how business works will know that you have far more profound experiences than most corporate ladder climbers.

Not true. To most corporate recruiters 'doing a startup' for a couple of years is almost the same as being unemployed. I faced this myself after years of slogging away at an unsuccessful project and then trying to get back into the job market.

I have heard it referred to as being in a band.

Things that people in start ups don't know: getting technical things done in complex environments. I would focus my CV on showing interaction with corporates outside the firm - show you have some game.

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

#95

Post by SoapSeller »

raverbashing wrote: post #91
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…

> I refuse to hire anyone that hasn't stayed at a company at least 2 years (excluding new grads) Then you're selecting for people that care more about a paycheck than the work they're doing Also, I was let go after a couple of months in a small company because they closed the office I worked on, my fault I guess

I always thought that the opposite is true - people who care about their paycheck jumps ship every couple of months to improve their paycheck(it easier to get a raise in a new job than in your current one, right?)

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

#96

Post by caseymarquis »

jmtulloss wrote: post #63
gorbachev wrote: post #6

Do you know your shit? If yes, you have nothing to worry about. If no, work on that. There're so many unqualified job candidates out there, you can rise above the crowd just by being good at what you do.

As a former hiring manager at a company that got way more resumes than qualified candidates (Rdio), I totally disagree with this. Candidates have to be able to communicate why they are good at what they do concisely, otherwise their resume won't even make it to the hiring managers inboxes at most companies. This is pretty similar to the elevator pitch for a startup. I'm amazed that anybody has a hard time keeping the…

"[Keep your resume to a single page]; you're just trying to get a meeting, not tell your life story."

I like that.

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

#97

Post by 77pt77 »

gorbachev wrote: post #6

Do you know your shit? If yes, you have nothing to worry about. If no, work on that. There're so many unqualified job candidates out there, you can rise above the crowd just by being good at what you do.

I'm sorry but no.

Even if he knows his stuff he'll most likely have problems getting an interview and then he needs that the people interviewing him are capable of recognizing his expertise.

That's a lot of compounded ifs.

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

#98

Post by 77pt77 »

highCs wrote: post #22

I've been there, and this is a real concern. My cofounder and I both didn't succeed to get our experience really recognised and we both got to start again with entry level jobs. However, we've found that we got up in the ladder quickly. My cofounder is almost CTO again now after only 4-5 years.

How old were you when you switched?

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

#99

Post by raverbashing »

SoapSeller wrote: post #95
raverbashing wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I refuse to hire anyone that hasn't stayed at a company at least 2 years (excluding new grads) Then you're selecting for people that care more about a paycheck than the work they're doing Also, I was let go after a couple of months in a small company because they closed the office I worked on, my fault I guess

I always thought that the opposite is true - people who care about their paycheck jumps ship every couple of months to improve their paycheck(it easier to get a raise in a new job than in your current one, right?)

Not so easy depending on the circumstances

Of course it's a bonus, but different locations may pay less

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

#100

Post by timv »

angryasian wrote: post #75
quantumhobbit wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen two types who fit the six month pattern: 1 Devs who simply can't code and get fired/managed out/not contract renewed 2 Unlucky people who don't put up with crappy work environments The first groups should be easy to weed out with decent interviews. The second are a goldmine as long as your company isn't as dysfunctional as the companies that drove them away previously.

I don't get this at all. As developers we should always be looking out for our best interests. If you think you can find something better for more money do it. The whole idea of company loyalty is bs in my opinion. They generally aren't loyal to you.

Your immediate self interest may not end up being your long term self interest (or it might, I don't profess to be an expert on your career)

As a hiring manager it's not in my interest to hire someone who is likely to leave in 6-12 months. If I have a team that is growing, then I am already spending a considerable portion of my time recruiting, I can't afford to have to rehire my whole team every single year.

I do want people who have personal drive and high standards - who won't put up with a toxic workplace. So if you've left 1 or 2 places after 6-12 months, then that could be a good sign, and I'll probably get you in for an interview and ask about it.

But if you never stay somewhere for more than a year, then I don't like my chances of being the place that breaks the pattern, and it's unlikely that I will bring you in for what is intended to be a permanent position.

While I can absolutely understand why someone might want to jump around every 6 months for better pay, don't expect me to sign up to be the next stop on that trip.

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