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One can often see entering office or old industrial/loft type buildings tens of thousands of casually dressed people during and after business hours. They are going to workplaces that are places such as independent film companies, dotcom startups, progressive non profits, green tech companies organic good importers. Some of these larger companies must have many different types of positions.
However, the only positions I ever see advertised at these types of places are a few very specialized technology positions, yet every place of at least 50 employees probably has at least a few non technical/specialist types.
My question is how does one go about getting a job in these types of places?
I work for a startup. They usually hire people they know. If they go outside of their contacts it’s usually for a very specialized skill.
Startups don’t “have many different types of positions.” They don’t have the income to hire a large staff and employees tend to wear many different hats.
Startups need only two kinds of people generally - those who can make the product and those who can sell the product. If you don't fit in either category then you should think twice about working for startups.
My very first job out out of college was with a start-up, MovieFone, way before it got sold to AOL. Got it through a recruiter, and at first, thought, what a bummer-they paid 30% less than what my public-accounting friends were getting. very quickly, though, I realized that this was the best experience, I had a terrific manager who patiently mentored me and with whom, many years later, I still keep in touch. These jobs are out there, but in general, small companies don't have large hiring spree or large layoffs, it's really when the business grows that they hire.
You care more about whether the company is hip, rather than what kind of job it is? Weird.
Yeah... it's better to focus on becoming good at what you like to do, and then find a job later. It's nice to know what kind of place you'd like to work in, but that shouldn't completely rule your decision-making process.
Why don't you look into Tough Mudder, the company that creates obstacle courses throughout the world. They are headquartered in brooklyn and is hiring for many different positions. Just check their website.
It's all in who you know (these jobs tend to go to family, friends, friends-of-friends, and old work connections of the core team involved/investing in the startup), but sometimes you can luck into one of these jobs through Craigslist want-ads.
Also, these companies can be a major pain in the ass to work for - you often have to put in ridiculously long hours and put up with incredibly obnoxious bosses, all with the promise of getting lots of stock options to make up for the pittance that they pay you - and more often than not, the companies fold or get bought out (which only benefits the upper echelon) before anyone gets rich.
What's your background and qualifications? If you're trying to go to a start up tech company & you don't have he right skills and background, they're not going to hire you- regardless of whom you know. One possibility is entry level but is that the correct career phase for you?
I've worked for three companies, all of them start ups. The first was a digital ad agency. I was one of 12 people. Almost everyone was 20 something, even the CEO (maybe he was like 31) and it was in a wear house/loft near Flatiorn. I got the job straight out of college by just applying online. I was hired as an intern first then promoted into an employee position three months later. They pay was crap but this is the norm for entry level at an agency.
Second job was at a larger start up (company was about 4 or 5 years old when I started and also in the digital space) but already had an established product in the market. They went public 2 years after I started. I found that job because their inhouse recruiter reaced out to me because of my background of working at an agency. Also the agency bought this company's products & the hiring manager recognized my name & recalled questions that I had asked, which according to him were intelligent, so they hired me.
Third company is about 3 years old & I found this job through someone I knew at my second company. He introduced me directly to the CEO because he thought I'd be a good fit for the role. I'm starting in a few weeks so let's hope it is!
So yeah, there is a lot of getting jobs because you know people, there is in any space, but finding one without connections isn't unheard of. Also, if you have the right skills, start ups will pay well. They have VC money - well most of them do. And they try to hire the best people they can which often means throwing money at them. After all they are taking a risk in going to a new, unestablished, company. Especially if they are coming from a well established place.
If you are looking for a list of start ups with positions check Made in NY
I love working for a startup because the people are incredibly talented and keen to do a great job. No one is just phoning it in for a paycheck, as so often happens with big corporations.
However, you have to really love your job and be available at all hours. With such a small staff you’re essentially on call 24/7.
The biggest downside is that these companies are notoriously unstable. They can lose funding and go belly-up almost overnight.
They can be a lot of fun if you have the right personality and circumstances, but there’s a reason why so many employees are young and single. If you have three kids and a mortgage working for a startup can be risky.
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