Live data from Hacker News

How (not) to get a job at a startup...

getrealordie.com

1–10 of 89 posts

Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...

#2
On one hand, money isn't everything, but on the other it's naive to think that people don't have bills to pay, so I can't agree completely with the "don't mind the salary" song. It is important, we like it or not.

That aside, I couldn't find any indicators about the offered salary. But unless I'm missing something, the requirements are really standard, nothing out of the ordinary (complexities of PHP? With CodeIgniter? Right!), and being a startup I wouldn't expect it to be high.

So, maybe a decent rant, but probably out of place.

Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...

#5
Paying people what they used to get paid +1 is such a yes-man brigade.

"Oh so & so gave you that, we should do that too".

I understand why companies do it, but there has to be a better way. More incentives? More equity? Back end performance driven pay?

One data point does not equal market rate. And other factors: work hours, environment, benefits, perks, etc are just as important.

Has anyone else dealt with this at their company?

Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...

#6
post #3

So what is the rate offered? I admit the attitude is a bit high brow, but he may have an extremely valid point.

Maybe, but he sounds self-entitled. Those are the worst type of people.

I don't like either of the attitudes in the post. I would never work for the poster and I would never hire the applicant.

Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...

#7
In a healthy company a lot of value is created. Therefore, there should be plenty money for salaries. So, simply, if salaries are low the company isn't generating enough value or the bosses are cheap.

How is that a good thing? Of course, in a startup you can't have everything - but that doesn't change the fact that in startups the employees often share a great deal of the risk (in opportunity cost) and don't get rewarded in the same scale when it all works out. Worrying about money, especially in times like these, is perfectly natural.

And quoting somebody's email verbatim, without permission? That shows a lack of class (it's really that rude), but worse, it shows a lack of -judgment- because Auston should know he can't gain anything by ridiculing somebody's cover letter and grammar mistakes.

Don't get me wrong. I do agree that a hurriedly written cover letter that only focuses on the salary should land the resume on the no-hire pile. But why attract negative publicity to your own company? I don't get it.

Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...

#8

I agree he was obnoxious in his email, but the "We’ll take care of you ... trust me" response doesn't inspire a ton of confidence, sorry. Surely this is what stock options are for?

I was going to say the same thing. "We'll take care of you" is simply not a promise that startups can make. You might work your ass for them for a year at a below market salary, only to see the whole thing tank.
Post reply on HN