I'm working in silicon valley as a software engineer, and I can't seem to get a job with a startup at all. I've worked at huge-ass Fortune-100 companies in the past and even have some offers from other huge-ass Fortune-100 companies right now, but for some reason, small companies keep turning me down. I'm sure it's not my skills. Is there something I'm missing here?
Can't get a startup company job to save my life
- Thread starter anandtechuser07
- Start date
Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
- 651
- 126
Start-ups are more than likely looking for a specific skillset which makes them more selective than a large company who have the time and resources to get people up to speed as you'll be expected to hit the ground running the first day in a start-up environment.
Well from your background, sounds like one of the followings
1. you would be asking for a lot since your previous "huge-ass" company probably paid you well
2. some old timers that been in the business are too cocky about themselves, hard to work with. Youthful, creative, open-minded seem to succeed in the startup field while old timers usually think "this is the enterprise solution, what I say is right"
3. maybe they really considered you, but there was someone just better..?
Seriously it's not a big deal, you just didn't match what they were looking for and some companies will think you are exactly what they need...
1. you would be asking for a lot since your previous "huge-ass" company probably paid you well
2. some old timers that been in the business are too cocky about themselves, hard to work with. Youthful, creative, open-minded seem to succeed in the startup field while old timers usually think "this is the enterprise solution, what I say is right"
3. maybe they really considered you, but there was someone just better..?
Seriously it's not a big deal, you just didn't match what they were looking for and some companies will think you are exactly what they need...
Besides skill sets, you could come across as not being self-directed enough or not agile.
There's often a lot less supervision and a lot less process in a small company, even more so in a startup. If you seem like you'll need a lot of both to get your work done they may be passing you over for someone who works fast and on their own.
There's often a lot less supervision and a lot less process in a small company, even more so in a startup. If you seem like you'll need a lot of both to get your work done they may be passing you over for someone who works fast and on their own.
I doubt they think that they can't afford me. I never mentioned salary. But they do know what companies I've worked at (on the size of Oracle or HP -- but not Oracle or HP). I'm not an old-timer. I'm about 30, have a graduate degree, and have demonstrated an ability to be agile. I'm a first-rate programmer, have a few patents filed, and am very friendly and respectful.
So I don't understand this. I'm getting interviewed by folks who are younger than me and have less experience than me. And I'm getting turned down. Are they looking for some specific degree of youth and cockiness or something?
The only thing I can think of is that I was laid off a month ago and have been truthful about it. Is this hurting me?
So I don't understand this. I'm getting interviewed by folks who are younger than me and have less experience than me. And I'm getting turned down. Are they looking for some specific degree of youth and cockiness or something?
The only thing I can think of is that I was laid off a month ago and have been truthful about it. Is this hurting me?
No, that would not affect our hiring decisions.
Perhaps you should ask a friend or two whether there is anything about your manner that could be causing a bad first impression in interviews.
Startups tend to have different expectations. Corporations want someone with documentation of qualifications, startups want someone with demonstrateable work and community involvement.
Maybe you're just too damn good. Just keep trying. Sounds like they probably just found someone better, though I'm not sure about that considering what you've said. Or they're just idk, worried that you'll take over or something lol.
Do you not want to work for another large company? Considering you said you have other offers.
Do you not want to work for another large company? Considering you said you have other offers.
I'm guessing you don't have much of an imagination, which is usually a bad thing at a startup.... just look at your username.
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
If you want to look outside of California, I can probably help you a bit. Specifically, I can pass it onto people in Indiana.
VC firms like Sequoia have a company that helps with hiring, and it's specific to funded startups. I would apply through that and if you can't get something, I'd be surprised if you couldn't be placed with one. I'd start looking at the VC firms well known in the area and find companies they funded, and get an application in through them.
Also, techcrunch.com runs a small job section on their site, you might want to take a look at that.
VC firms like Sequoia have a company that helps with hiring, and it's specific to funded startups. I would apply through that and if you can't get something, I'd be surprised if you couldn't be placed with one. I'd start looking at the VC firms well known in the area and find companies they funded, and get an application in through them.
Also, techcrunch.com runs a small job section on their site, you might want to take a look at that.
SpunkyJones
Diamond Member
- Apr 1, 2004
- 5,090
- 1
- 81
No. It's only because the job market is not very good right now. You'll get a job but you'll have to work at it.
I've worked/consulted for small, medium, and large companies. In my opinion, you're probably coming across a bit too "corporate".. IME I've had better luck (and 'respect') when I show up wearing a button down shirt and tie, but not an outright business suit. Most small companies hate dealing with 'know-it-alls' who've already experienced going from a small company to a large company, and then back to a small company.
I showed up to my current pos't (network admin) in an orange dress shirt, black dress pants, and some fugly blue tie. I was truthful in saying that I worked for a similar sized company (~when I started, ~100 employees) that was bought out and grew ~700 employees. I stressed that my experience during that growth would be a huge benefit, and that I needed a break from the "big company" mindset. They liked everything I had to say... I'm in the upper range of the average pay for my job and work for a small company (or what I consider small, <200 employees) - i.e. if I have a problem I'm comfortable talking to the president. Also, (for IT anyway..) small companies tend to not care about certs - just experience and what you actually know. Large companies are forced to rely on certs and tests and references - because people can 'get by' without knowing jack. In small companies the slackers are immediately noticed and fired.
You mentioned you have a graduate degree. While this is just my personal experience, developers with graduate degrees I've come across are heavy on theory and light on ability. Whats even more annoying is they are the cockiest people in the group, even though they suck the most.
Again, just my personal experience based on a small sample of people.
Again, just my personal experience based on a small sample of people.
What's your immigration status? It matters a lot at startups. Since relatively few in silicon valley are citizens and not on green cards or H1-Bs anymore (I work in sunnyvale for a hardware company, I can speak from my large company's hiring practices that this is relatively true), they might not want to deal with paperwork.
I have worked at nothing but startups since I received my undergrad degree. Interviewed at Fortune 500 companies as well as startups and after running many interviews for my current company I can give you some suggestions...
1. Don't get angry or visibly frustrated in the interview. If you don't know the answer say so, but don't give up before audibly trying to find the answer. We have interviewed countless applicants that become downright angry when we ask a question that they don't know. Big red flag right there.
2. Do not ask what a typical week looks like for a developer/engineer. It leaves the impression that you want a 9-5. Startups want people who are willing to put in a ton of work up front for an eventual payday. If you don't love your work you won't love a startup.
3. Answer questions relating to coworkers with a positive spin. Make it clear you enjoy working closely with other people to get things done. You mention an ability to be agile. I assume you mean the software development practice. If that is the case then give specific examples of agile concepts that you have used.
4. Do not make unrealistic salary/compensation demands. You likely won't make as much at a startup as a Fortune 500 company. 3 weeks vacation would be generous.
5. Do not be cocky. HP? Oracle? MBA? PhD? So what... There are thousands of piss poor programmers at large companies. Startups don't have the time/resources for people who don't truly love their work and are willing to trade up front compensation for a fast paced, exciting environment. I have interviewed countless PhDs that simply can't actualize their years of learning.
6. Finally, give examples of being a self-starter.
What is your background in and what do you enjoy working on?
I will probably end up at another big computer company fairly soon working on some really interesting stuff. However, it's just frustrating that I'm unable to get the smaller jobs as a fallback in case I ever really do need to go that direction.
I got some feedback today from the recruiter of a startup that turned me down. He said they were looking for people with more systems-level programming. This was for a database systems startup. I've got 5 years' experience in c++ level programming, and I've got patents in systems-level stuff. I have an MS in CS. If they didn't like my experience, why the hell did they invite me to an onsite interview? I suspect "not enough experience" is a euphemism for "someone just didn't like you."
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 21K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter