Find a job and quickly climb the ranks at a tech startup, even if you’re not a techie.
Are you underemployed or struggling to find a fulfilling career? Stuck on a low rung of the corporate ladder and don’t see a way up anytime soon? You’re not alone. Like many recent college grads and people who feel stuck in their corporate jobs, you’ve probably never considered working for a technology company that’s just starting out, especially if you’re not a tech whiz. That doesn’t matter. Tech startups are desperate for talent and creativity in all kinds of fields from people with leadership skills and new ideas - people like you!
If you’re looking to turn your general business know-how into a wildly successful career, Be a Startup Superstar is your guide. Yes, you can love your work, feel energized by your role, and earn the income of your dreams. Author Steven Mark Kahan left his safe corporate job to join his first tech startup, and since then he has helped seven startup companies sell or go public (meaning early employees usually score big). In this breakthrough book, Steve shows you how to:
- Look for five key traits when choosing a tech startup
- Get hired at a tech startup with your existing degree, skills, and experience
- Develop the leadership attributes and entrepreneurial mindset that can launch you to the top
- Make better decisions and get better outcomes in the tech startup world and beyond
Be a Startup Superstar provides the expert insider guidance you need to ignite your career by joining the tech startup revolution.
Table of Contents
Foreword by David Meerman Scott ix
Introduction xiii
Part I: The Best Opportunities are in Start-Ups 1
Chapter 1: Use the Tech Start-Up Boom to Zoom 3
The Unprecedented Opportunity in Tech Start-Ups 5
Why Work for a Start-Up Over a Big Corporation? 9
Fewer Barriers to Entry 10
Versatility in Roles 11
Access to Leaders 11
Financial Rewards 13
Culture 14
Upward Mobility 16
Chapter 2: Pick the Right Start-Up for You 19
How to Find Start-Up Opportunities 20
Research Posted Jobs Online 21
Explore Technology Accelerators 21
Attend In-Person Entrepreneur Events 21
Engage with Start-Up Leaders Online 23
Attend Hiring Parties 23
Be Willing to Intern (Preferably for Pay) 24
Seek Mentors 25
Five Criteria to Choose a Start-Up 26
Quality People Who Share Your Values 27
The Concept Fills a Big Market Need 28
A Great Product You Believe In 30
A Role You Can Fill Today with More Opportunities Tomorrow 31
The Start-Up is Well-Funded 31
Getting Hired 33
Part II: Seven Keys to the C-Suite 35
Chapter 3: Develop Your Leadership Skills and Self-Confidence 37
Visualize Your Success Until It’s Real 38
Use “Co-Opetition” and Competition to Stand Out 40
Become an Expert and a Constant Learner 41
Develop Strong Communication Skills 44
Embrace Accountability 47
Show Humility 49
Believe in Yourself 50
Chapter 4: Stand Out from the Herd 53
Differentiate Yourself 53
Ask More Questions 56
Take Calculated Risks and Challenge the Status Quo 59
Find the Courage to Make Tough Decisions 63
Call Out the Elephant in the Room 65
Be Known as an Idea Person Who Executes 66
Chapter 5: Act Like a Leader (Even If You Don’t Have the Title Yet) 69
Set Clear, Inspiring Goals 70
Three Pillars of Goal-Setting 70
The Baby Steps 71
Keep Your Goals in Sight 72
A Final Thought on Goals 73
Everything Can’t Be a High Priority 74
Create Order Out of Chaos 77
Make Fact-Informed Gut Decisions 80
Earn Your Stripes 82
Chapter 6: Adopt Winning Work Habits 85
Work Hard without Feeling Overworked 85
Show You Know Your Customers 88
Be Part of the Solution 91
Pay Attention to Details (without Being a Control Freak) 93
Add Value Through Simplicity 96
Persist and Be Patient 97
Chapter 7: Choose Carefully the Company You Keep 101
Surround Yourself with A-Plus Talent 101
Find the Right Mentors 106
Choose Your Mentors 107
Mentor/Mentee Relationship Guidelines 108
Know When to Stay and When to Go 109
When to Go 110
When to Stay 111
Leaving the Right Way 112
Trust Your Unique Path 113
Chapter 8: Embrace the Power of Kindness 117
Walk in Others’ Shoes 118
How to Develop Empathy 120
Get to Know Your Team 121
Say Thank You and Mean It 123
Gratitude is Contagious 124
How to Show Gratitude 124
Create Fun and Joy 126
Exude Energy and Optimism 128
Keep Your Surroundings Positive 129
How to Foster Optimism in Yourself and Your Environment 130
Chapter 9: Take Care of What Matters 133
Protect Your Calendar 133
Meetings 135
The Should-Dos Trap 137
Be Your Own Top Priority 139
Put Your Family First 140
Make Health and Fitness a Priority 142
Work Out 143
Eat Right 145
Sleep More 145
Live Life to the Fullest 147
Acknowledgements 149
About the Author 151
Index 153
