> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://blueprint.codeandcreed.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Startups

> Getting a job at a fast-growing startup

<Warning>
  This page is still under construction.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Difficulty: Hard
</Note>

Getting a job at a startup is generally harder than at a bigger company because they are moving faster and require folks who can already code and design well.

There will naturally be less mentorship and more ambiguity.

## Downsides

* Less job security. Companies can go under. (Depends on when the funding rounds were done)
* Less work-life balance. Being overworked is common.
* You won't be compensated as well as you would at a bigger company. You'll receive more equity which is your bet on the company's future.

## Benefits

* You'll be working on cutting edge technology- You'll learn in 1 year what it takes to be a senior engineer at a bigger company in 3 years
* You'll likely have a say in what gets built
* You'll likely have a say in how the company is run
* You'll be working with some of the brightest minds in the industry

## Who should apply?

* You're a high-achiever
* You thrive in a very fast-paced environment (i.e. you don't mind working 60+ hours a week)
* You genuinely believe in the product/company's mission

### Startup Interview Strategy

For startup interviews specifically, consider writing a pre-interview memo to stand out:

1. **Research & Analysis**
   * Study the company's market position
   * Analyze competitors
   * Identify growth opportunities
   * Understand current challenges

2. **Create a Pre-Interview Memo (2-3 pages)**
   * Company overview and market analysis
   * Specific improvement opportunities
   * 30-60 day action plan if hired
   * 2-3 ambitious long-term goals
   * Strategic assumptions and rationale

3. **Using the Memo**
   * Send before onsite interviews
   * Use it to guide discussion
   * Focus on your potential contributions
   * Demonstrate strategic thinking

<Note>
  This approach shows initiative and deep understanding, making you stand out from candidates who only prepare for standard interview questions.
</Note>

[Original Article Source](https://writing.nikunjk.com/p/inverting-the-interview-process?r=6olre\&utm_campaign=post\&utm_medium=web)

## How to find startups?

Well-funded startups/scaleups are hiring across the board:

* [Welcome to the Jungle](https://uk.welcometothejungle.com/) (fka Otta (good matchmaking, can choose remote, good UK/EU coverage)
* [Hacker News Who's Hiring](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43243024) (very high signal and usually can connect directly with founder/early team. Check out the March 2025 thread)
* [GrepJob](https://grepjob.com/) (mostly mid-stage and almost faang, filterable by stack/level)
* [Startups.Gallery](https://startups.gallery/) (good directory of top startups/scaleups + job board)
* [Joining a VC's talent networks](https://greylock.com/jobs/#talent-network-tab) / job boards (Greylock, [a16z](https://a16z-games.typeform.com/1337-talent), [SPC](https://jobs.southparkcommons.com/jobs), etc)
* [Next Play](https://nextplay.so/) (lots of founding/early team type roles, mostly SF/NY-centric tho)
* [Communitech](https://communitech.ca) (mostly for Canadian tech)
* [Hiring Cafe](https://hiring.cafe/) (less curated, but literally millions of roles and good filtering)