Entering StartUpLand: An Essential Guide to Finding the Right Job

by Jeffrey Bussgang

In general, the startup community is incredibly generous with its time and has such a strong “pay it forward” culture, that with tenacity and time you can get to almost anyone. In fact, I recommend you aim high. Use the heuristics I’ve described in this chapter to narrow down your search and then list out ten people who would be your absolute top choices to sit down with for thirty minutes face-to-face for networking purposes. Then go after those ten people in any way you can (granted, without stalking them or being a nudge). Even if it turns out the job fit isn’t right, networking meetings like this will help you establish valuable relationships and will lead to additional, interesting meetings and connections. In short, be organized, focused, and tenacious. Aim high, seek out the incremental networking meetings, and pick yourself out a prospective winner. Things may not work out, but at least you’re putting yourself in a position for a little positive serendipity.