Lessons from A Few People Who’s Hired Hundreds

Jefferies Jiang
4 min readOct 7, 2024
  1. Understand the Startup Mindset

When you’re applying to a startup, remember that you’re not joining a corporate giant. Startups operate with a different rhythm, one that values agility, curiosity, and a willingness to wear many hats. Show that you understand the chaotic nature of startups. Share stories about times when you adapted quickly or thrived without much guidance. Demonstrating your readiness for uncertainty will set you apart from candidates who are more comfortable with the safety net of established processes.

2. Focus on the Impact, Not Just the Skills

Of course, you need to have the technical chops for the job, but in a startup, what matters even more is your ability to use those skills to make a tangible impact. Instead of just listing your skills or the projects you’ve worked on, frame your experience around the outcomes you delivered. How did your contributions move the needle for your previous team or company? Did you automate a process that saved time, or did you build a feature that boosted user engagement? Startup founders and hiring managers are laser-focused on results, so show them how you’ve delivered.

3. Be Ready to Prove Yourself – Again and Again

In startups, every hire needs to justify their presence. It’s a world where resources are tight, and each team member is expected to drive value consistently. During interviews, don’t just talk about what you’ve done; demonstrate a willingness to keep learning…

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