It can be exciting to work for a startup in your career progression since you are working on new services or products:

And have the chance to grow and earn from your efforts. All startups will prioritize hiring versatile and talented individuals due to their potential to grow within the company, as well as the multitude of activities they will need to do every day.

Small offices also offer plenty of advantages when you want to network with others since they allow you to interact with others quickly. If you are not the one looking, you probably know someone who is doing so, since many businesses are fostering a startup culture -- even corporate giants. 

That does not make looking for a startup job easy, since there are so many options available that may confuse someone who does not know where to look, and you might not know what to highlight in your CV either. That is why we talk about the process, and what employers want in your application.

What employers want

When you set your sights on working in a startup, employers will expect you to start at full speed -- they expect you to be self-motivated, as well as build a strong track record of doing tasks optimally. 

Smaller businesses do not have the process setups you would expect in larger companies, so you will lack elements such as human resources managers. As a candidate, the employer will expect you to have both the ability to work on your own and strong teamwork skills since you will need to adapt yourself to multiple situations.

Therefore, you should share all the skills you have acquired with the employer or the hiring manager during your interview. Do not expect the work schedules to be fixed, since there is plenty of work to do, but the perks are likely to be very good to motivate you to perform at your best.

How to apply for a startup job

In many ways, the process is the same as what you would expect in other job types. It is all about your first impressions, so you should do it properly and highlight your skills.

To apply for a job, you will need to:

Look for jobs within your field

The growing use of the internet has helped many people to land their preferred jobs. A 2015 Pew Research Center study showed that about 80% of applicants used it to search for work, and we expect that it has grown since then.

The internet remains a valid job search mechanism. Platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed make your work easier when you are searching for jobs relevant to your skills and interests.

Look into hiring companies

If you opt to search for jobs rather than companies, do your homework about every company you want to apply to by looking at their 'About' page on their website. Additionally, it helps to do search queries on the company's name to look for reviews on them, current events they have, or any news applying to them.

Once you are through with the searches, you can connect with people who already work at these businesses and form connections with them. This will allow you to know the company culture, which should help you adjust once you join the workforce of the organization.

Polish your resume

Preparing and perfecting your CV involves updating all the information on it, as well as optimizing it for the job you want to apply to. This will mean you will add all your recent skills, experience, and education, and you will also add relevant keywords relating to your skillset and review the job description.

Know if a cover letter applies

You do not always require a cover letter to apply for a job unless you decide to do so or the application requires it. If you include it, ensure it has interesting information about you.

Submit your application and resume

Once you finish your resume, you might need to fill out an application form and attach relevant documents. Always aim to form your answers around the needs your potential employer shows, and this will increase your chances of landing the job.

Follow it up

In many cases, a hiring manager may sort through many applications, so it is good to follow up on your application about two weeks after submitting it. This will not only make you look more professional but also gives them enough time to look through different candidates.

In conclusion, applying for a job at a startup business is the same as any other job application, but you will need to showcase more of your skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for.