Looking for a job in start-ups? Read this concise and straight guide to understand what do start-ups look for in new recruits and how you can prepare for a job interview in start-ups.

1. Entrepreneurs
and New
Recruits
What We Look For
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

2. Interviews are
nerve-racking.
No matter how many times you've gone through it,
the thought of being interviewed can still make you
feel nervous.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

3. But it's also
hard to be the
interviewer.
Plenty of people don't think about it, but the person
doing all the asking gets nervous too.
Coming up with great questions while properly
evaluating a potential employee takes a lot of focus
and preparation.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

4. So, What do
we look for?
Study the job post and learn what kind of person
the position needs. Keep in mind the company's
principles and goals while sharing your
candidature.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

5. Creativity &
Innovation
We look for fearless innovators who can
identify and calculate risks, who know how
far they can take the company, and who
are prepared to test, push, and adapt as
necessary to accelerate our growth.
Problem
Solving & Grit
People with flexible schedules who can
burn the midnight oil in order to build
something great.
Our hires need to have the grit and
toughness to realize that working in a
startup is a lifestyle, not a job.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

6. Passion for
Learning &
Adaptability
The only guarantee in a startup is change.
Market and startup changes mean many of today's
skills will be irrelevant a year from now.
Although your current skills are critical for the job
today, your passion and aptitude for learning is
what it will take when change requires
transformation.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

7. Hunger
Hunger to learn and grow is something cannot be
taught. It's the difference between a good and a
great employee.
It also ensures that you'll have someone on your
team who’s always on the top of his or her game.
Humility
Most candidates are hesitant to admit failures.
But as a startup, we make mistakes and fail every
day.
Acknowledging your mistakes and moving forward
is an important part of success, honesty and
humility are admirable qualities.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

8. Accountability
Accountability is one of the most
important traits of any employee working
at a startup.
Put simply, accountability is the desire
and willingness to be held to the
deadlines, goals, and promises you make.
As a startup, you have to have a team of
people who can do what they say they
are going to do.
There's NOT a lot of time or money to
make up for missed goals and deadlines.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

9. Do you fit in the
company
culture?
A good hire must be able to do the job, but how they
execute within the broader context of the team is equally
important.
While skills can be learned and developed,…hustle and
drive are inherent and can’t be taught.
And that's the DNA of every Start-up.
The prospect’s work tempo has to be synced with the
broader team as well as your own.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

10. Answer truthfully.
If you're applying for a job, you've got to be honest
about yourself and your background.
Let the interviewer know your strong points, but be
truthful when they ask about your weak points.
Everyone's trying to sound impressive. Your best bet is
to be as honest and genuine as you can possibly be.
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Some
Interview Tips

11. Don't oversell
yourself.
Remember that if you're going to be hired, you'll
have to prove everything you said in your interview.
It's best to be honest about your skills so they have
a clear picture of how you can contribute to the
company.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

12. Be yourself.
Nothing beats being your true self.
Stand out.
It may sound like lame advice, but being yourself
helps you shine in a unique and memorable way.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

13. Keep in contact.
Do not forget to leave your contact
details with the interviewer.
Some companies are incredibly busy,
so let them know you're still very
much interested by asking about your
application after some time.
But don't overdo this. Employers will
get back to you sooner or later with
results. Give them enough time to
evaluate you and other applicants.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

14. Stay true
to yourself.
In the span of your career, you'll be
given plenty of opportunities to
express yourself. Put your best foot
forward and show why you're a great
person to work with.
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K A M N A H A Z R A T I

15. Let's Talk!
05
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@kamnahazrati
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@kamnahazrati