How to Break Into the World’s Best Startups

Before I began working with Brazen Careerist, I had a general idea about what it would take to work at a startup but it wasn’t until I applied that I completely understood what it would take. From the interview process to the day-to-day operations, you have to be on your feet and ready to go if you want to work at a startup.

Here are a few things I learned about working at a startup:

A dry-and-cut resume will not get you too far. “The traditional job and career pointers you learned in college don’t all apply when looking to work for and with a startup,” says Grace Boyle, a Publisher Services Manager at Lijit. Get creative if you want to work at a startup, especially if it one with a strong Social Media presence.

Network, network, network. I know that I stress this in nearly every post, but it is absolutely essential. I wouldn’t even be writing this as a part of Team Brazen if I didn’t use my networking powers. James Ryan Moreau agrees. “None of my hires and contracts are through referrals,” says James. “I’ve never, ever gotten any kind of job by sending my resume through a website.”

One-size-fits-all. You must be ready to wear many hats when working at a startup. There is plenty of work to go around for everyone and you cannot become tethered to your title. As a part of the team, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and take the bull by the horns. This means that you can’t go into work expecting a routine. If you are not flexible, you are not ready to be a part of a startup company.

You have to speak up. One thing that you cannot forget is that you have to be transparent and not be afraid to speak up. At a startup, an idea that may seem too small to you today may be a defining factor tomorrow so share with the class. On the flipside, keep an open mind to what others share with the class.

Your life will shape around your job. If you’re comfortable being a 9-to-5 worker, and don’t want that to change, you won’t get very far in a startup environment.

Experience will be your biggest reward. Let’s get real. If you’re getting your foot in the door at a startup, you aren’t doing it for the money. You’re doing it for something bigger. The experience, the chance to be a part of something as it gains its footing and to cultivate relationships. This doesn’t mean give away your hard work for free but don’t simply rely on the salary to define the fruits of your labor.

You think you got what it takes to be in a startup environment? If you’ve founded and/or worked at a startup, what would you add to the list?

Please share your experiences with us!

A fantastic startup company, LivingSocial, is hiring and they want to talk to you this week! They are looking for a Social Media Strategist in Washington, D.C. (March 9) as well as energetic individuals to join their Inside Sales Team in Washington, D.C. and Santa Monica, C.A. (March 10).