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Difficulty: Hard
Getting a job at a startup is generally harder than at a bigger company because they are moving faster and require folks who can already code and design well. There will naturally be less mentorship and more ambiguity.

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Downsides

  • Less job security. Companies can go under. (Depends on when the funding rounds were done)
  • Less work-life balance. Being overworked is common.
  • You won’t be compensated as well as you would at a bigger company. You’ll receive more equity which is your bet on the company’s future.

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Benefits

  • You’ll be working on cutting edge technology- You’ll learn in 1 year what it takes to be a senior engineer at a bigger company in 3 years
  • You’ll likely have a say in what gets built
  • You’ll likely have a say in how the company is run
  • You’ll be working with some of the brightest minds in the industry

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Who should apply?

  • You’re a high-achiever
  • You thrive in a very fast-paced environment (i.e. you don’t mind working 60+ hours a week)
  • You genuinely believe in the product/company’s mission

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Startup Interview Strategy

For startup interviews specifically, consider writing a pre-interview memo to stand out:
  1. Research & Analysis
    • Study the company’s market position
    • Analyze competitors
    • Identify growth opportunities
    • Understand current challenges
  2. Create a Pre-Interview Memo (2-3 pages)
    • Company overview and market analysis
    • Specific improvement opportunities
    • 30-60 day action plan if hired
    • 2-3 ambitious long-term goals
    • Strategic assumptions and rationale
  3. Using the Memo
    • Send before onsite interviews
    • Use it to guide discussion
    • Focus on your potential contributions
    • Demonstrate strategic thinking
This approach shows initiative and deep understanding, making you stand out from candidates who only prepare for standard interview questions.
Original Article Source

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How to find startups?

Well-funded startups/scaleups are hiring across the board: