Host: Jessica Fiesta George

Guest: Andrea Misir, Career Coach & Digital Marketing Specialist

In this episode of the Jess Get Hired Podcast, host Jessica Fiesta George talks to career coach and digital marketing specialist Andrea Misir about the unique dynamics of interviewing at startups. They share tips on interview preparation, portfolio creation, salary negotiations, and key questions to ask during the interview process.

• Fast-Paced Environments: Startups value efficiency and streamline their hiring processes.
• Interview Preparation: Be ready to discuss your strengths, weaknesses, and past accomplishments, and demonstrate your conflict-resolution skills.
• Portfolios for Creatives: Essential for creative roles to showcase writing samples or design work.
• Asking the Right Questions: Important to ask about day-to-day responsibilities, startup goals, challenges, and growth prospects.
• Salary Discussions: Address salary early, research the market, and be prepared to negotiate.
• Startup Culture: Startups can be rewarding but require flexibility and an open mind. Trust your instincts.
• Documenting Experiences: Keep track of your achievements and build connections within the startup community.

• Guest Introduction and Background (00:17 - 01:30)
• Starting a Career at a Startup (01:30 - 02:37)
• Productivity Tips and Magic Mind Product Plug (02:37 - 04:00)

  Jessica shares a productivity tip and introduces Magic Mind, a productivity shot.

• Interview Preparation for Startups (04:00 - 05:45)

  Andrea emphasizes the importance of having strong answers to common interview questions.

• Cover Letters: Do They Matter? (05:45 - 07:12)

  Andrea and Jessica discuss when cover letters are needed and their significance.

• Portfolios and Their Importance (07:12 - 09:34)

  The importance of portfolios for creatives and how to present work effectively.

• Questions for Interviewers (09:34 - 11:00)

  Suggested questions to ask during startup interviews, focusing on leadership style, company goals, and growth plans.

• Discussing Salary (11:00 - 12:00)

  Tips on when to bring up salary and how to approach negotiations.

• Other Considerations for Startups (12:00 - 14:25)
• Job Boards and Resources for Startup Jobs (14:25 - 16:36)

  Websites for finding startup job listings: Wellfound (AngelList), Y Combinator, VentureLoop, Work at a Startup.

• Final Thoughts and Outro (16:36 - End)

Episode Description: In this episode of the Jess Get Hired Podcast, host Jessica Fiesta George welcomes career coach and marketing expert Andrea Misir to discuss what it's like to work in a startup environment. This episode is the first in a two-part series exploring startup culture and how to navigate job interviews for these dynamic workplaces.

Andrea provides valuable insights into the differences between startup jobs and traditional corporate roles, including the flexibility required, the importance of wearing multiple hats, and the potential risks and rewards of working at a startup. The conversation touches on the significance of funding, the impact of culture on employee satisfaction, and tips for assessing the stability of a startup company.

• 00:01:30 - Guest Introduction
  
• 00:02:35 - Startup vs. Corporate
  
• 00:04:00 - The Startup Experience
  Andrea shares her experiences working at a startup
• 00:05:30 - Researching a Startup
  Advice on how to research a startup's funding, founders, and overall reputation before joining the company.
• 00:07:20 - Funding Considerations
  
• 00:09:00 - The Risks of Startups
  
• 00:10:45 - Equity and Salary
  Advice on salary negotiations and why equity should not be the primary focus when considering a startup job.
• 00:12:00 - Startup Companies and Job Security
  
• 00:13:30 - Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
  
• 00:14:14 - Outro and Next Episode Preview
  Jessica thanks Andrea and hints at Part 2 of the series, which will focus on preparing for startup job interviews. Information on where to find the podcast on various platforms is provided.

• Startup Dynamics: Startups offer less structure than corporate jobs, requiring employees to take on multiple roles. Flexibility and adaptability are key.
• Funding Considerations: It's crucial to understand a startup's funding status and how it may affect job security.
• Equity Caution: Prioritize salary during negotiations and understand that equity is uncertain until a company is public or acquired.
• Company Culture: Research a startup's culture by exploring the founders' public presence and the company's news stories.
• Job Security: Consider the risks in startups and the opportunities for growth and career development.

Visit JessGetHired.com for more career advice and to connect with Andrea Misir.

Follow Jess Get Hired on social media: @JessGetHired.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we'll discuss how to prepare for a startup job interview and the key questions to ask.

Personal Branding 101: Quick Guide to Leveling Up Your Opportunities

Episode 74 | Jess Get Hired Podcast

• Jessica discusses the importance of personal branding and the five W's: who, what, where, when, and why.
• Personal branding is crucial for everyone, helping individuals differentiate and create career opportunities.
• Personal branding involves creating a consistent image both online and offline, showcasing skills, experience, values, and personality.
• Start personal branding early and optimize profiles on platforms like LinkedIn.
• The goal of personal branding is to build credibility and manage one's reputation.

• Personal branding is important for everyone, regardless of professional status.
• Creating a consistent image both online and offline is a key aspect of personal branding.
• Early personal branding and profile optimization, especially on LinkedIn, are crucial.
• The primary goals are to differentiate oneself, build credibility, create career opportunities, and manage one's reputation.

• 00:00 - Introduction and Overview
• 04:34 - The Five W's of Personal Branding
• 08:53 - Optimizing Profiles and Maintaining Consistency
• 13:11 - Conclusion

• Magic Mind - The World's First Productivity Shot!
• Jess Get Hired Website