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How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

lukethomas.com

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Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#11

Post by lobotryas »

lukethomas wrote: post #7
jkl9 wrote: post #4

This is rather shallow and superficial- nothing new besides blanket general advice and personal anecdotes. Seems like self-promotion to be honest. The "do this because I did and it's great and I work at a super cool startup now!!" is rather nauseating- how did this reach the front page?

Shoot - that wasn't my goal at all. I just know many people who want to work at a tech company, yet the biggest complain I hear is that they don't live in one of the "hubs." The reason I told stories about my experiences was to try to relate, not be arrogant.

Don't listen to these guys.

Your post is a good reminder of what the basics are and their importance. Every day there are thousands of people trying to figure out how to take their next step. If even one of them is helped or encouraged by your post then mission accomplished.

Personally I'm familiar with this topic and still found your post entertaining and interesting.

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#12

Post by eterpstra »

Hmm... I read the title of this more as, "How to Land a Job at a Startup (and stay living in the middle of nowhere by working remotely)" rather than, "How to Land a Job at a Startup (and then move to Boston)"

Anyway, I agree it's pretty generic 'blanket' advice - for me, a 32 yr old. Pretty wise words for a college grad, though, whose audience is probably more his underclassmen than me.

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#13

Post by jusben1369 »

jkl9 wrote: post #10
lukethomas wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shoot - that wasn't my goal at all. I just know many people who want to work at a tech company, yet the biggest complain I hear is that they don't live in one of the "hubs." The reason I told stories about my experiences was to try to relate, not be arrogant.

The issue is not that you shared your experience but it is that you provided no real insight or value into how to get a job at a start up. This article is just platitudes referencing your anecdotal experience. If you're going to post your personal blog, here are some examples of decent posts: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5544010 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5539231 What do they have that your post doe…

I disagree. You're forgetting the target audience. If you were in High School or College now there are multiple actionable recommendations.

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#14

Post by drakaal »

Phoenix AZ, http://www.stremor.com Silicon Valley tech team, living in "the middle of nowhere"

We don't care if you have a college degree. Just if you have skills. We do rocket science. Which is what is generally missing from startups outside "The Valley"

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#15

Post by drakaal »

If you want a great startup to work at you have to find the start up that fits you. And invest. Not dollars directly, dollars in your pocket. Move. Live cheap. Take less salary and more equity. There are startups on both coasts, and a few in the middle. But the most important thing is that you find a job you like in a company you believe in that you think can go somewhere.

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#16

Post by scottrblock »

ilink wrote: post #5
jkl9 wrote: post #4

This is rather shallow and superficial- nothing new besides blanket general advice and personal anecdotes. Seems like self-promotion to be honest. The "do this because I did and it's great and I work at a super cool startup now!!" is rather nauseating- how did this reach the front page?

My thoughts exactly. The whole "Step one: learn to code!" part made me laugh.

That was step two.

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#17

Post by lifeisstillgood »

jkl9 wrote: post #10
lukethomas wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shoot - that wasn't my goal at all. I just know many people who want to work at a tech company, yet the biggest complain I hear is that they don't live in one of the "hubs." The reason I told stories about my experiences was to try to relate, not be arrogant.

The issue is not that you shared your experience but it is that you provided no real insight or value into how to get a job at a start up. This article is just platitudes referencing your anecdotal experience. If you're going to post your personal blog, here are some examples of decent posts: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5544010 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5539231 What do they have that your post doe…

I think it's a little unfair to compare a professional journalists OpEd and the rumination of someone fairly connected in Finance over a decade with a "how I got my first real job" post.

Yes, depth of insight and research Mark out the journalists article from the blog post. But longform, as the editor of the New Yorker will tell you is effort and cost

Tldr - it's good if unfair advice. Take it

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#18

Post by minimaxir »

drakaal wrote: post #15

If you want a great startup to work at you have to find the start up that fits you. And invest. Not dollars directly, dollars in your pocket. Move. Live cheap. Take less salary and more equity. There are startups on both coasts, and a few in the middle. But the most important thing is that you find a job you like in a company you believe in that you think can go somewhere.

Take less salary and more equity.

...why?

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#19

Post by morgante »

Beyond being extremely generic, his advice underplays the importance of deliberate practice at coding. Honestly, if you can hack, the jobs will come. Sure, you might need to network a little, but the skills are the basis. Nobody from my school with technical chops is unemployed or without good internships.

Meanwhile all the students who network and promote themselves but don't code are stuck in unpaid internship after unpaid internship.

Re: How to Land a Job at a Startup (Even if you live in the middle of nowhere)

#20

Post by lukethomas »

morgante wrote: post #19

Beyond being extremely generic, his advice underplays the importance of deliberate practice at coding. Honestly, if you can hack, the jobs will come. Sure, you might need to network a little, but the skills are the basis. Nobody from my school with technical chops is unemployed or without good internships. Meanwhile all the students who network and promote themselves but don't code are stuck in unpaid internship afte…

For what it's worth, I've worked nearly full-time at a local web design shop doing "light" development (essentially building a WordPress site from a PSD) in addition to my college classes. I probably should have mentioned that in my post.
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