How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#1

Post by mrduncan » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 6:20 PM UTC

How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)
nathanmarz.com

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#2

Post by johnnyn » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 6:44 PM UTC

Great list. I would add that if a resume is required, a well designed resume is important especially if it's a front-end or generalist engineering role. Kick ass startups look through hundreds of resumes, and first impressions are a big deal.

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#3

Post by sahillavingia » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 6:48 PM UTC

Caution: only works if you're a kick-ass programmer.

Strive to be that and getting a job becomes magnitudes easier. Sweet, successful side projects are the staple of a kick-ass guy. Glad I got some under my belt :)

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#4

Post by code_duck » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 7:08 PM UTC

Good article. I'm inspired by the idea of branding myself.

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#5

Post by jwegan » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 7:22 PM UTC

    2. Observe the working conditions. They reveal a lot about the company's philosophies towards its employees.
    
    You're looking for top notch monitors, chairs, desks, and computers. Look at how much space each programmer has and if the environment is quiet or not.
    
    A top notch work environment is a good investment for maximizing the productivity of programmers and keeping them happy and healthy. Anything less than a top notch work environment is an indication that the company is overly focused on keeping costs low and is cheap with its employees.

I would disagree with this point. While it is important to have quality monitors and computers, I don't think it is necessary for an early stage startup to go splurging money on nice desks and chairs. In fact, some might take it as a sign the startup is not spendthrift enough and thus more likely to not have enough runway.

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#6

Post by sim » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 7:29 PM UTC

Reading also this one now: "My experience as the first employee of a Y Combinator startup"

http://nathanmarz.com/blog/my-experience-as-the-first-employ...

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#7

Post by nathanmarz » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 7:35 PM UTC

jwegan wrote: post #5

2. Observe the working conditions. They reveal a lot about the company's philosophies towards its employees. You're looking for top notch monitors, chairs, desks, and computers. Look at how much space each programmer has and if the environment is quiet or not. A top notch work environment is a good investment for maximizing the productivity of programmers and keeping them happy and healthy. Anything less than a top n…

You just have to use your common sense. If the company hasn't raised much cash yet, then it makes sense that they might be tight with the purse strings. You'd expect this to be a temporary situation.

In general though, the salary of the employee dwarfs the cost of providing a top notch working environment, so it's in the startup's best interest to maximize their already large investment in the employee.

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#8

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 7:39 PM UTC

jwegan wrote: post #5

2. Observe the working conditions. They reveal a lot about the company's philosophies towards its employees. You're looking for top notch monitors, chairs, desks, and computers. Look at how much space each programmer has and if the environment is quiet or not. A top notch work environment is a good investment for maximizing the productivity of programmers and keeping them happy and healthy. Anything less than a top n…

[deleted]

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#9

Post by bananaandapple » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 8:09 PM UTC

Not wanting to sound too negative, but sometimes it's better not to have a job at a kcik-ass startup.

The author also commented/wrote in the past that he endured burn out multiple times and is constantly working >10 hours a day.

Re: How to get a job at a kick-ass startup (for programmers)

#10

Post by nathanmarz » Tue, Oct 05, 2010, 8:14 PM UTC

bananaandapple wrote: post #9

Not wanting to sound too negative, but sometimes it's better not to have a job at a kcik-ass startup. The author also commented/wrote in the past that he endured burn out multiple times and is constantly working >10 hours a day.

I work a lot by choice. And getting burnt out was a problem of learning to use my time effectively. Now that I have more self-discipline and force myself to take breaks on a regular schedule (and not work when I'm not feeling it), I don't burn out anymore.