Ultimate Guide To Finding A Startup Job + Open Roles!

Step-by-step instructions plus current job openings at great startups.

April 1, 2025

Your Ultimate Startup Career Guide is here!

Do you or someone you know want to break into startups??

Do you love working for startups and want to find a role at the next rocket ship?

Are you wondering how to grow your career at a startup where things like “internal job boards” or “promotion paths” are unheard of?

Are you a founder who is tired of getting asked by that random high school friend, how do I get a tech job, and want to reply with a single blog link?!? 😉

Here is my best advice from 15+ years of moving up the startup jungle gym (it’s not a ladder, people!), hiring over 100 direct reports, and interviewing thousands of people.

(Don’t worry. I hate networking too. Here’s my anti-networking advice.)

**BONUS** I’m including a section of current open roles at startups I know and recommend.

Find a Startup Job You Love (& Then Get Promoted!)

How to Break Into Tech—Or Find A New Role In The Biz
Read this one first. Especially if you don’t have a startup or tech job but want one! I’ve helped dozens of folks get tech jobs with these strategies.

7 Ways to Find Your Startup Dream Job
If you’re applying to jobs on websites, you’re doing it wrong.

Here's What Startup Leadership Looks Like
How to move up quickly and become an invaluable employee. Hint: it’s the soft skills not the hard ones.

4 Stages to Expect After Joining a Startup
If it feels messy, that’s normal. A high-growth startup told me this article is required reading for new hires!

7 Steps to Create Your Own Startup Role
I’ve shaped my perfect role at multiple companies — and had a blast along the way. Here’s what works when there’s no playbook.

The Inside Scoop On Startup Hiring

Want to dive even deeper?

Here’s advice I’ve given to startup leaders on hiring and career growth over the years!

Understanding how startups evaluate candidates can help you in the interview process and beyond.

Is a Startup Job Risky?

I’ve been lucky enough to see and work for many great startups.

I’ve also had a front row seat to F500 companies. And I read business news.

Which is why I say:

All jobs are “risky”!

Industries come and go. Large companies do layoffs or cut products and teams regularly and unexpectedly. Businesses lose important customers and adjust headcount. Pandemics hit. Political priorities change.

What’s not risky?

Your attitude and skills.
Investing in yourself.
Doing work you love.

In my experience, smart go-getters, when hit with unexpected job changes, land on their feet quickly, regardless of industry or company size!

It’s hard to predict how any job or company will work out.

IMO - doing interesting work with good people is always a smart choice, wherever that takes you!

Startups have a ton of upside too.

Financial, yes, but also getting to take on big projects that you’re not “qualified” for that build your resume, confidence, and skill set.

So if you need some talking points for yourself or your family, remind them that everything’s risky. Might as well go for it. 😉

Open Roles at Great Startups

Just a sampling of jobs I’ve heard about recently from founders I know and trust (as of March 2025 - things move fast at startups so act now!).

If a great company is hiring, get a seat on the rocketship!

If you’re a startup that’s hiring, please link to open roles in the comments!

Hypepotamus Job Board and Atlanta Tech Village Job Board are also great resources.

If you’re a startup who told me about a role and I didn’t list it here, apologies in advance. I’m a tired mom of 2 who is training for a marathon, working full time, and writing a blog post every week. No intentional slights, just a fallible human brain! 😂

Great Startups Who Are Hiring