This event review of “How to land a job at a startup” is brought to you by Solange Francois, from our Fetch Community Ambassador Team in Sydney.

On Thursday, 26^th July I attended General Assembly’s ‘How to Land a Job at a Startup’. It was an hour of ideas led by Riley Batchelor, who has been involved with startups for many years before deciding to use his skills and contacts for educating and mentoring.

What types of startup jobs are out there?

The majority of tech startup roles are, unsurprisingly, developer roles, but there are also requirements for sales, business development, marketing, commercial management, operations, admin and more.

What are the benefits of working at a startup?

Startups don’t operate like large, established companies. Startups generally offer flexibility in attire and work hours and autonomy that comes from a smaller, flatter management structure. Startups often work in co-working spaces so staff interact with a wide range of enthusiastic, ambitious entrepreneurs.

How can I make it happen?

• Get your story straight – work out what you want to do and focus on a core skill
• Make connections rather than rely on job boards – network and ask for introductions
• Demonstrate your passion – know the company and become familiar with the product and space
• Differentiate yourself – stand out, be creative and get noticed
• Know your place – envision the role you’d play in the business and deliver that value before being asked
• At interviews, share fresh ideas and demo your work
• Consider up-skilling in areas you’re not familiar with so you’re able to offer a broader skill set
• Investigate various sources, for example, connections, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook pages, The Fetch, Silicon Beach Australia board

The opportunities for people driven to become involved in this space continue to grow, but it’s not a conventional recruitment path so it’s up to the individual to take the lead, up-skill and get connected.

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About our Ambassador // This article was contributed by Community Ambassador Solange Francois. She is a marketer and lover of travel with a passion for psychology and lifelong learning. You can connect with Solange through her blog or on Twitter @solangefrancois