Friday, 24 August 2018 / Published in Entrepreneurship & Startup, online business

How To Ace A Startup Interview

Every business is a story of its own, and so are their job interviews. What especially makes a difference is an interview that you would go through for a company that has already established itself on the market, compared to the one for a startup. The latter is much less interested in formalities, and actually cares the most about what you can do for them, how quickly you can do it, and all that with the limited resources that the business has.

So, if you want to ace your startup interview, you need to know what you are getting into. A startup is very eager to find an employee who can take up more than one position if necessary. But most importantly, they want to find a passionate individual that can help them grow. So, basically, you’ll be aiming for a spot in a company where a lot of rules change as the business itself makes progress.

Prepare for what is to come

The success of every interview mostly depends on how well you are prepared. With the startup, this goes even deeper, as you need to show them that you really know a whole lot about them, their vision, and the industry that they want to establish themselves in. However, besides known the ABCs of what the company is about, you need to bring something to the table. To truly show that you are passionate to work for this startup, you need to offer something, such as a suggestion on how they could improve.

It is important that you don’t sound like someone who is attempting to fix the way that they do business. You just have to phrase your suggestion in a way that is both constructive and mannerly. Ask them if they have considered an option that you think could help them. This way you’ll get into a discussion and actually get to learn a lot more about how the startup works before you (possibly) get hired. You’ll also show that you can be a truly beneficial addition to the team.

Ask for a project and show them they are the ones you really want to work for

Often, during the first interviews it isn’t really easy for you to show what you can really do. If you are capable of taking up a tough project well and do wonders for it in a relatively short period, then you will surely let them know that you are either an expert in the field, or you have really got what it takes to learn fast and adapt.

It is also important that you show them that this very startup is the position that you are after, and that there is no other job you would rather take instead. The company is looking for someone who is going to put the best of their capabilities into their projects, and help that person accomplish something important. So if you are not someone who is really driven by the idea of taking this opportunity, then maybe it is better that you look somewhere else. Look for career counselling to truly find out what kind of startup is the best for your background and capabilities, and how to properly prepare for the interview and show that you are the one that they are looking for.

Be ready to think on your feet

So, knowing that a startup is a business that is just starting to develop, it means that it needs people who are capable of thinking on their feet. You simply have to be ready for some really direct and brazen questions such as “Why did you really come here? What is it that you specifically have to offer that will help our business grow? Will you be able to and how will you bring value to this startup from the first day on the job? Why do you think that you are better than anyone else that has applied for joining our team?”

So, it is pretty obvious that applying for a job at a startup company is actually a very competitive effort. This is why you must be ready to think quickly and give good answers to anything that you are asked. The interview itself will be a kind of test of how able you are to act in a stressful situation where there is a limited amount of time to ponder what needs to be done. So, be bold, and show them that you have both the capabilities and the confidence.

In summation

Acing a startup interview isn’t easy, even with the fact that you are not applying for a well-established company. This is due to the very fact that a startup is just beginning to grow, and needs someone who can join their team by being able to think on their feet, significantly contribute to a project, and share the vision that everyone’s got in order to help the expansion process. So, do your homework by properly preparing for the interviews, and show up blooming with confidence.