Transitioning into the tech industry from a nontechnical background can be challenging. However, by learning from the startup world, you can navigate your job search more effectively. Startup founders excel in building trust, networking and personal branding — skills that are directly applicable to job hunting. Here’s how you can leverage these strategies to find the right job in a tech company.
1. Building trust: The foundation of fundraising and job hunting
In the startup ecosystem, angel investors value trust immensely. They invest based on their confidence in the entrepreneur, often built through personal connections and credibility. Similarly, as a job seeker, building trust with potential employers is crucial.
- Networking through common connections: Founders often get introduced to investors through mutual friends or industry contacts. As a job seeker, leverage your network to get introductions to recruiters, hiring managers or company executives. A recommendation from a common contact can significantly enhance your credibility.
- Nonverbal communication: Founders build trust during meetings through nonverbal cues such as eye contact, active listening and mirroring body language. These techniques are equally effective in job interviews.
2. Networking and personal branding: The path to job opportunities
Founders spend a significant amount of time networking to secure investment opportunities and attract customers, especially in the enterprise space. They attend events, identify key people to speak with, and engage strategically. Job seekers can adopt a similar approach to uncover job opportunities.
- Attend industry events: Participate in tech conferences, job fairs and networking meetups. These events are excellent opportunities to meet potential employers and industry professionals.
- Create a target list: Identify companies and specific key individuals you want to connect with. Research where they might be speaking or attending events and make an effort to meet them.
- Be respectful and persistent: Approach networking with respect and persistence. Build relationships gradually and avoid being overly aggressive. Follow up with the contacts you make and nurture these relationships over time.
- Network on the social medium: Use LinkedIn and other platforms to learn more about companies and people, and reach out in a personal way.
- Personal branding: One way for founders and job seekers to stand out from the crowd is to have a professional online presence where they can share their thoughts and become a thought leader in their areas of expertise.
3. Resilience and adaptability: Learning from startup founders
Founders face frequent rejections and setbacks from customers and investors, yet successful founders remain resilient and adaptable. They understand that rejection is part of the process and try to not take it personally. As a job seeker, adopting this mindset can help you stay motivated and focused.
- Handling rejection: Founders may get hundreds of Nos before they get a yes from their first investor. Expect to face rejections during your job search. Don’t take it personally. Instead, view it as a step closer to finding the right opportunity. Keep interactions professional and thank interviewers for their time, even if, and especially if, you don’t get the job.
- Follow up: Good founders maintain relationships with investors and clients that rejected them, as things may change in the future, their startup will grow, their product will change, or the customer may have new criteria. Periodically update those who rejected you in your job search as well, keep them updated on your progress and maintain good relationships. Opportunities may arise in the future when circumstances change.
Itay Sagie is a strategic adviser to tech companies and investors, specializing in strategy, growth and M&A, a guest contributor to Crunchbase News, and a seasoned lecturer. You can connect with him on LinkedIn for further insights and discussions.
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