This should be titled: How to post a startup story on a site that loves startups and get down modded in to oblivion.
Impressive Auston.
How (not) to get a job at a startup...
61–70 of 89 posts
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
From looking at their job posting and their website it sure gave me a good impression of how great they are... Wait, no, see they (I'm assuming it's you now) didn't. They didn't explain why it is they offer something beyond money as an incentive to work for them. They don't talk about their passion, office situation, their work ethic, or what it is they're working on. The job posting itself was just bland and generic…
Ha. Everyone here encourages thinking that differs from ours. I suppose we are generic in the job posting (I really appreciate the feedback) and again, as I stated, we're trying to find someone who is looking for more than just money, someone looking for place to work where they fit in and feel at home. If you were trying to meet a decent girl with values, would you go around waving $100 bills and wearing diamond pen…
I think you're overrating your new funding. It's cool, but mainly because it means someone believes in you. Money is just money - not important in itself. Get over it as quick as you can.
The great appeal of a startup is that early employees often end up being a VP or something. They get into a higher position than they would in a conventional company, and faster, provided: (A) the company takes off and (B) they are basically capable of it.
For this, people will accept less money initially. They know you're a startup. This is the kind of motivation you want; and this is the kind of person who wants you.
Thinking that this temporary funding makes you a target for gold-diggers suggests you've lost sight of what you are - a startup. Imagining you are flat broke, desperately needing to make and sell cool stuff, might help. It's the truth.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#63I had to say basically the same thing to a CEO just a couple weeks ago.
Of course I did after I was offered the job for what I can only describe as a joke. I asked for twice as much and though he offered me more, I had to say no and wish him the best of luck finding any developer at that price, let alone one who knew fizz-buzz. Needless to say, I couldn't have worked for him even if he met my demands. Truly the "we'll take care of you, trust us" makes no difference once you know how you're valued.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#64Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#65I 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 thinking the same thing. First off, whenever someone says "trust me," as a rule of thumb, don't. His advice sounds really self-serving. Trustworthy people are always open to committing in writing or in ways that don't require so much trust. Now, the dude who wrote the cover letter doesn't seem all that stupid to me. Sure, the writing isn't great, but for all you know English is his second language. I'm not so s…
You might be surprised how hard is to find a true CSS expert. He may be exaggerating its difficulty compared to other languages though.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#66Whenever some one tells you "Its not about the money..." that's how you know its about the money.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
Good catch. Perhaps this article should be retitled, "How to Not Show Class when you are Recruiting."
Perhaps, or possibly "How discourage self-entitled leeches from applying to your company".
Entitlement is only a problem if the expectation is unrealistic. Seems like the company is the one with entitlement problems in this case - expecting to find such a qualified candidate without offering the appropriate pay that is typical of someone of that caliber.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#68I 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 thinking the same thing. First off, whenever someone says "trust me," as a rule of thumb, don't. His advice sounds really self-serving. Trustworthy people are always open to committing in writing or in ways that don't require so much trust. Now, the dude who wrote the cover letter doesn't seem all that stupid to me. Sure, the writing isn't great, but for all you know English is his second language. I'm not so s…
CSS is very difficult in the sense that implementations vary so wildly, and browsers demonstrate random bugs where you least expect it. Oodles of experience counts for a lot.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#69In 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 rewa…
Right, I suppose I should have been more candid. We are in the final stages of the development of the product. So there is no revenue; we're paying market (45-60k) plus options, but we're not ready to just dish that out to anyone. It's kind of like finding a girlfriend. If you're filthy rich (and its obvious) than the playing field becomes uneven. We want people who are motivated by long-term opportunity, not taking…
I hope you're giving a LOT of stock because for 45K you're gonna get high school kids or part-time college students.
Re: How (not) to get a job at a startup...
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
I was thinking the same thing. First off, whenever someone says "trust me," as a rule of thumb, don't. His advice sounds really self-serving. Trustworthy people are always open to committing in writing or in ways that don't require so much trust. Now, the dude who wrote the cover letter doesn't seem all that stupid to me. Sure, the writing isn't great, but for all you know English is his second language. I'm not so s…
You might be surprised how hard is to find a true CSS expert. He may be exaggerating its difficulty compared to other languages though.
I had no idea. I'm happy I wasn't declarative.