10 Quick Tips for Crafting a Killer Resume for Startups

Not caring is the #1 reason you won’t be hired at a startup.
In other words, being passive with your search and application process will only keep you from landing the job you want, not to mention waste valuable time, both yours and the companies you’re applying to.
As a matchmaker who has been connecting job seekers to startups over the past 4+ years, I’ve seen what separates the typical (passive) job seekers from the rock stars. It starts with their resume. Here are 10 quick tips to help you get a leg up on your startup job search.
- Know your speciality. If you are a designer, developer or marketer, list that at the top. You can include it in the subject line even. I should be able to glance at your initial email/cover letter/resume and know right away what you’re looking to do. Really, if you can’t focus on something, at least in your introduction, you have a <0% chance of landing a job. Specialize! (Customer support, QA, Development! Marketing, Intern, Product Development, Design).
- Be creative. One of the best cover letters I’ve ever read said “I’m amazing at database management, drinking beer and urban exploring. I’m also a kick ass Project Manager, just coming off a long term contract. Early stage startups are a plus.” This sure as hell beats ‘I’m looking for a challenging and engaging environment to develop my talents.’ Check out more examples.
- Be clear. Cut out the corporate jargon, fillers and buzzwords. What do YOU want? Why this company and this job?
- Your resume should be named yourname.pdf (no word).
- Have consistent personal branding. Domain, email, social handles, design, logo, etc. Make them sharp and standout. If you don’t have one already, consider creating a personal blog or portfolio. You could even create a 1–2 minute video where you articulate who you are, what you’re looking for, what you can bring to the table, and why companies should consider you. Add that link to the your resume and LinkedIn. Put yourself out there. Build your brand!
- Be active in communities. Join communities, especially those you want to work in. Making a name as a knowledgeable and known person is invaluable.
- Follow their blogs/media channels. Identify your target companies and keep up with them. See if they have a blog or a newsletter. Sign up, read it, comment on it. In order for a company/employee relationship to work at a startup, it must be a good mutual fit. Remember, you’re vetting them as well to make sure you’re a good match. The more you know, the better. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to job hunting.
- Do a project. In your initial email or cover letter, offer to do a small, (pro-bono) project to demonstrate your skills. If you have ideas for projects, even better. This also allows you to get a sense of the type of work you could be doing and test the waters on how well you work with their team.
- Crowdsource your resume/cover letter. Ask friends, family and peers to proofread your resume. You may be surprised — a little extra polishing can go a long way.
- Attend events. Meet folks there. Follow-up from there. Even better if you can include a specific note from your conversation to make it more personal. For example, “I really appreciated hearing about the work you’re doing on the product development side at XYZ company. Are their any product communities you belong to? I’m looking to get more plugged in and explore that field. Let’s grab coffee or a happy hour.” Face-time is extremely important when it comes to connecting with new people and navigating a startup ecosystem.
Finding a startup job isn’t easy. It can take hours of research, networking, honing your skills and developing new sets of skills. Just like most things in life, the more you put into it, the better the outcome. So take charge, get proactive with your search, find your startup dream job. Use PluggedIN as a resource. We built it for you.
To get more ideas, feel free to check out my personal resume, which I made using Canva. It can be found in the summary section of my LinkedIn.
