Ask HN: How to get a job at a startup that is not technical?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7769694

by ewokinonendor • 12 years ago

4 8 12 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I'm eager to find a job with an innovative company and I'm very technology savvy, but I don't code or design. How do I get a job at these companies? P.S. I live in Downtown SF.

deadfall• 12 years ago

This is an interesting problem since most companies that post jobs at sites like https://angel.co/san-francisco/jobs are mainly Engineering, Design, or Product Mangagement. Finding companies that aren't building software is your best bet, IMO.

jesusmichael2• 12 years ago

Well what can you do?

ewokinonendor• 12 years ago

- Experience as Administrative Assistant

- Speak, Read, and Write Spanish Fluently

- Some knowledge about app and mobile QA testing

- Dabbling with Python on Codecademy

- Experienced in Child Development Studies and Childcare

jesusmichael2• 12 years ago

The spanish might be important to a company working on an international project. However, unless you're willing to take a SUBSTANTIAL pay cut... My experience in startups is that hiring "administrative" doesn't happen until you make money.

idoh• 12 years ago

I got my foot in the door doing QA for a tech company, and then transitioned into Product Management (which I've been doing for about 8 years). If you really shine in QA then you'll probably find some doors open up for you too.

curiousphil• 12 years ago

I would suggest studying marketing and getting your feet wet in that space. Outside of the code and design, I think its one of the most needed skill-sets in this space. I could be mistaken though. Or maybe you are looking for an executive assistant type position?

taprun• 12 years ago

Well run companies exchange something they have (money) for an outcome they want.

Don't think of what you skills, degrees or characteristics. Think in terms of what you can provide. If you can't build software, can you build an audience? Can you find customers? Can you bring in investment dollars?

Your pitch should be something like "If you hire me, your company will ...".

Peroni• 12 years ago

The first line of this response is the absolute truth.

I work for a startup, one that is categorically on track for significant success. I'm not a programmer, designer or product person so lets apply your questions to my situation...

Can you build an audience?

Not in the companies target demographic. Not even close.

Can you find customers?

As above. Not even remotely close to my remit.

Can you bring in investment dollars?

Debatable. The question is vague. My presence alone wouldn't attract investors therefore the answer must be 'no'.

Despite all that, I work for a start-up. I have a lucrative job paying a decent salary as well as a healthy chunk of equity. Just before I joined, the company raised a significant series b round[1].

The value I add to the company is that I can solve a significant problem that is key to their growth. I can triple their staff numbers in a very short period of time without the need to spend ridiculous money on agency fees.

To refer back to the first line of your response:

Well run companies exchange something they have (money) for an outcome they want.

They exchanged money for an individual who could abolish one of the significant hurdles preventing their rapid growth.

You don't need technical chops to work for a startup. You need to possess skills and/or experience that the founders do not have in order to facilitate their growth. What those skills and/or experience is, depends entirely on the company you want to work for.

[1] http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/23/lyst-a-fashion-e-commerce-a...

Ask HN: How to get a job at a startup that is not technical?

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