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Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

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Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#1

Post by jkush »

Having been here long enough to witness one funding cycle I'd like to offer some preemptive advice to those of you who aren't invited to interview in a few weeks.

For the record, I did apply last round and was not invited. I did not apply for this funding cycle.

1). Don't take it personally.

YC was kind enough to send a very nice email explaining that their decision wasn't personal. The email explained how their process is fraught with error. They were even nice enough to say there was a good chance they passed over promising groups of hackers. It's not personal and sometimes an application doesn't do justice to your abilities.

2). YC is not for everyone

Sure, YC would make the whole startup process a lot easier and a lot more exciting, but you can still be very successful without YC. There are lots of successful companies out there that probably haven't even heard of YC. The honest truth is: being successful is completely in your control.

3). Don't write scathing blog posts

After the decisions were made, a few people wrote scathing blog posts, designed to rip YC a new one. It doesn't work, it won't make you feel better and it just makes you look like an emotional train wreck. Don't air your dirty laundry. If you feel wronged or emotionally charged, refer to #1, then #2, then #4.

4). Shorten the cycle

Eventually, the rejection will wear off and you'll get back to work. Some people might obsess for a few days, others a few weeks. Eventually though, you will get back to work on your ideas. If that's true, then why not shorten the cycle? Give yourself an hour to feel like crap (if that helps) then get back to work.

I know many of you will see this advice as obvious, but when the email notifications go out it won't be. That's why I'm posting it now.

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#2

Post by DanielBMarkham »

Here's a bit of advice: be a startup junkie and not just a YC applicant.

Startup junkies sill always follow startups: participating, sharing ideas, forming teams and making things happen. Being a startup junkie isn't something that is limited to any one funding cycle or organization. If you're a real junkie, YC is just a place to hang out while you're working on your own plans, which may have nothing to do with YC in the end. YC is just a tool which may or may not be available to you. If nothing else, you can monitor the board and listen while all kinds of cool stuff happens -- there's gold in being part of those conversations.

Or as the old saying goes, "I've been kicked out of better places than this one"

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#3

Post by jkush »

DanielBMarkham wrote: post #2

Here's a bit of advice: be a startup junkie and not just a YC applicant. Startup junkies sill always follow startups: participating, sharing ideas, forming teams and making things happen. Being a startup junkie isn't something that is limited to any one funding cycle or organization. If you're a real junkie, YC is just a place to hang out while you're working on your own plans, which may have nothing to do with YC in…

...and that too!

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#4

Post by garbowza »

Just like many of us have succeeded regardless of which college we went to (or were rejected by), we can also succeed regardless of whether we're accepted by YC. Sure YC will help tremendously in some cases, but ultimately there is no single path to success. Reacting positively to whatever is thrown at you, under any circumstances will inevitably lead to success.

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#6

Post by DanielBMarkham »

antirez wrote: post #5

> but you can still be very successful without YC Sure, but let's face it, to be "under YC" makes you much more able to hit success, all the other things being the same. This is not exactly fair, but it's how things work.

So does being Bill Gates' cousin, winning the SuperBowl, saving a kid from a burning building, having good parents, etc.

Some of this stuff is random, some of this stuff you can make happen, and some is a combination. YC is a combination. They're doing their best to figure out who to pick and you're doing your best to make your company work. Golden rule of being self-employed: NEVER focus on one opportunity or plan. Always have several things going. And be flexible about it.

What's PG say their success rate is? Something like 50%? Sure -- it'd be great to be in a graduating class, but getting into YC is NOT like passing a test. You don't control it and even for the people who do control it, it's a crap shoot. It's more like bumping into some folks in the hall and chatting a bit and giving them your business card. Maybe they'll call. Maybe not. Don't get your hopes on it. How much can you really convey to somebody by bumping into them and chatting in the hall?

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#7

Post by Zak »

antirez wrote: post #5

> but you can still be very successful without YC Sure, but let's face it, to be "under YC" makes you much more able to hit success, all the other things being the same. This is not exactly fair, but it's how things work.

The kind of people YC attempts to identify are the kind of people who will make it work with or without YC. If they're wrong about you, they'll regret it.

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#8

Post by pg »

Another thing I'd ask people not to do is write to us asking for the details of why they weren't invited. We explain in the YC FAQ that we won't, but every cycle people deluge us with emails anyway.

It's not because we're being secretive that we don't answer these emails. The reason is that there generally are no details to give. Usually when we don't invite a group for interviews, it's not because there was some glaring flaw in the application, but simply because nothing in it jumped out at us.

Re: Some things to do (and not do) if you aren't invited to interview with YC

#9

Post by rms »

Zak wrote: post #7
antirez wrote: post #5

> but you can still be very successful without YC Sure, but let's face it, to be "under YC" makes you much more able to hit success, all the other things being the same. This is not exactly fair, but it's how things work.

The kind of people YC attempts to identify are the kind of people who will make it work with or without YC. If they're wrong about you, they'll regret it.

here's hoping
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