How to Ace an Interview at a Start-Up
Start-up companies are new organizations. Many are participating in new but fast-growing fields such as high tech, although start-up companies may offer any product or service. The one trait all start-ups usually share is great enthusiasm for their mission and a willingness on the part of the employees to work long hours to accomplish the company's goals. To ace an interview with a start-up you must show that you have the drive, determination and skills to help the company succeed.
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Instructions
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Tell interviewers about traits you possess that make you an ideal candidate for a start-up. Working for a start-up is a risky proposition because of the uncertainty about any new venture. Some start-ups go out of business after only a few years. Convince interviewers that you're a reasoned risk taker and are willing to accept the challenge of helping build a company from scratch. Give examples that describe risks you've taken. For example, talk about entrepreneurial ventures you’ve tried on your own or discuss how you decided to attend college across the country rather than close to home because you wanted to try something new.
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Talk about your work ethic and offer examples. Start-up organizations aren’t always the right fit for people who want to work 9 to 5. Employees at start-ups often feel they have to outwork establish companies, and that can mean 12-hour days. Talk about your feelings on this issue during the interview. Discuss projects you’ve worked on that required 12-hour days and how much you enjoyed it. Or mention how you often arrive early and stay late in your current position.
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Describe other qualities and traits that are important to start-ups. For example, feel free to talk about a desire to become wealthy and to reach that goal through hard work. Most start-ups offering stock options to workers want employees who are focused on becoming wealthy because of their work.
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Show great enthusiasm for the company’s mission by discussing your ideas about the company’s chances for success. Prepare for this topic by researching the company and its competitors before the interview.
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Emphasize during salary discussions that you’re simply looking for a fair salary and you're more concerned about the opportunity. Sure, everyone wants money, but some people who interview with start-ups are actually more excited about the mission than the salary.
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