How To Find A Job After Your Startup Roller Coaster

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Even for founders, there is a life after the startup world. If you are looking forward to apply the valuable skills you've gathered during the rise (and fall or exit) of your startup by re-entering the workforce, here is what you should keep in mind.

Okay, obviously you can use job-portals but this is not what I want to write about here. This post is all about using your network (big or small) to find the perfect job for you.

If you are not searching for a job but rather want to found another startup, this post may not be for you.

I was CEO and co-founder at our startup “RealLifeConnect”. After nearly 3 years of riding the startup roller coaster we sold our startup to a US company. In this case we (the team) were not part of the deal so the founders started searching for a new challenge.

First of all our investors were happy with our work and with the deal so they employed me for a while helping their other startup investments. Thank you for that.

During that time I searched for new opportunities on the job market. The usual way for finding jobs is using job portals. As you can probably guess I’m not very enthusiastic about those.

Here is why: I don’t think the selection process is made for “former startup founders” thus you may fall through the grid. As a startup founder you spent your whole time pushing your startup forward. Maybe you even stopped studying so you maybe only have a BSc or not even. This will not look good in your CV. Also you didn’t yet have time to collect some certificates or do an MBA (or similar). Nevertheless you:

  • are used to working hard
  • are well informed about your industry
  • have a great network
  • know how to lead a team and hire people
  • know how to create and sustain a healthy team-culture
  • are familiar with writing offers and closing deals
  • are intrinsically motivated and work with passion (it just needs to be the right thing).

You can mention those in your CV of course but that doesn’t mean HR is gonna believe you.

Here is the thing, if you use your network for finding a new job you can tell those people what you are made of first and they will read your CV after. This gives you a huge advantage. You’re like a “hot lead” for them because you have been introduced.

First of all: Find a field you want to work in!

For example: Product Management, Sales, New Business Development, Marketing, Innovation Manager, Developer etc.

What is the thing that would excite you the most if you’d have to do it for 40 hours a week and not get bored?

This is the most critical question because, trust me, if you get employed and it’s boring because you can’t (are not allowed to) make use of your talents you will want to leave soon. Leaving too early (under 2years) on the other hand looks bad on your CV and the next company will ask you what happened — the last thing you want is to be classified as one who has a “bad judgement”.

What are you good at? Think about the time at your startup, what was the role you were “Superman/woman” at? As as founder you will have had multiple roles, usually product/project management, sales, marketing and coding. What were you good at?

Using your network

I suggest getting yourself premium accounts for LinkedIn and Xing (if applicable) in order to make use of the advanced search features. These features are your best pals.

Get yourself introduced to people you want to know and have a 2nd or 3rd degree connection to. Tell your contacts to introduce you, they will.

Keep in mind that people want to be helpful.

This is the idea:

1. Connect to people in the field you want to work in! If this sounds strange, think about the fact that those people are very well connected in that field and will inform you as soon as a vacancy appears. There is not only one project/product manager, sales, marketer, or coder in a company.

2. Connect to the CEOs/Founders of the companies you want to work for. They have the power do decide and this is the person you want to drink coffee with.

This is my approach:

1. Go over to LinkedIn, Xing and Angellist and search for people in your desired field. Add them to your network (get introduced if possible). Now is the time to contact the CEOs and Founders of the companies you always wanted to work for and say “Hi” (see below). You’d be surprised how many respond and love to meet you. Add them to your network (get introduced if possible).

2. Writing them directly via the social networks messaging system may not always work (low visibility of your messages) so go on and guess their email address (for real) and write them that you are available — ask for a meeting. Use this spreadsheet to generate email addresses from first name, last name and the domain name of the company they’re working at. Please use with care.

Having done 1 will make them remember you when you write an email in 2.

Write to them and say something like:

 

Subject: After our startup

Hi,

I’m <your name>, former CEO/Founder/Owner of <your company name>.

After a great time at our startup I’m searching for the next big challenge and have shiploads of energy and passion to invest.

During the time at the startup I had the privilege to work for/with clients like <add cool names here> and deliver top quality products/services. I’m exited about working with great teams and also getting things done with little resources — although I’m sure you have more than we did 😉

Let’s meet up for a coffee next week, does Tuesday 9am sound good?
Regards,
Michael

 

This will show multiple things:

  1. You have been in a lead role and know what it means.
  2. You have an energy most employees don’t.
  3. You have no fear of challenges.
  4. You worked with big clients and know how to handle them (if applicable).
  5. You like to work in teams.
  6. You’re getting his/her imagination started.
  7. You get up early to get more things done during the day.

Keep in mind that usual employees don’t have the motor you have or the energy you bring because they didn’t found their own company yet. I’m not saying that being an employee is bad, but if the company is searching for a person that brings a fresh mindset, energy and passion then they will want to meet you asap.

You’ll be surprised how many people actually answer! Even those you never thought they would. Some will direct you to other contacts they have or to their colleagues. In any case it’s beneficial for you.

Use headhunters

I also made good experiences with headhunters. They know the companies (their clients) and can give you loads of information before you actually meet the company itself. Go ahead and use headhunters, they will also give you feedback on your CV and tell you how much money you can expect from that company you’re applying at.

The same above principle is true with headhunters: If you can get introduced to one via your network, please do so. But remember, it’s their job to meet “good people” and connect “new leaders” with the companies searching for them.

Remember that finding a job is basically your “day-job”, spend enough time on it and meet people who can help you. Don’t spend all your time meeting friends instead of searching for a job.

Also keep your social profiles up to date (LinkedIn, Xing, Angel.co). Tell people that you are searching and post it on Facebook. Write a blogpost about your companies journey, how you worked as a team, how you delivered even when it was tough. This will make you more visible and credible to others — use medium.com 🙂

What was your experience finding a job after your startup? Which companies can you recommend? Please tell me below.

 

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