All Segments
Announcing Work at a Startup
17 segments available
Jared Friedman - https://twitter.com/snowmaker - is a partner at YC and before that cofounded Scribd (YC S06). Matt Long - https://twitter.com/mateolargo - a software engineer at YC and before that cofounded Crocodoc (YC W10). Today we’re talking about a project Jared, Matt, and several other people at YC have been working on. It’s called Work at a Startup - https://www.workatastartup.com/ - and it’s like a common application for engineers to apply to many YC companies simultaneously. We’re also hosting a Work at a Startup Expo - https://www.workatastartup.com/expo - on July 28th in Mountain View where you’ll be able to meet 35 rapidly growing YC companies. You can learn more and apply to attend at https://www.workatastartup.com/expo. The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon - https://twitter.com/craigcannon
Segments Timeline
Introducing Work at a Startup
Jared Friedman and Matt Long introduce themselves and the concept of 'Work at a Startup,' a common application platform for engineers looking to join Y Combinator companies. They discuss their backgrounds and the motivation behind creating this platform to streamline the hiring process for startups.
"alright guys so we are here today to talk about work at a startup let's really quickly do some introductions so Jared why don't you start hey I'm Jared I'm a partner here at YC the way I got into YC w..."
The Hiring Challenge for Startups
Matt Long explains the challenges startups face in hiring engineers, emphasizing the intense competition in Silicon Valley. He discusses how 'Work at a Startup' aims to provide a scalable solution to help YC companies find the right talent more efficiently.
"called work at startup so Matt could you describe what it is yeah so work at a start-up as a common application for engineers that were interested in working at a start-up and in particular a YC compa..."
Historical Context of Hiring at YC
Jared Friedman shares his experience with hiring at Scribd and the historical context of YC's efforts to assist startups in hiring. He discusses the origins of the 'Work at a Startup' initiative and its evolution from earlier hiring efforts like the Hacker News job board.
"yeah so why why make this why make this instead of you know just relying on the existing infrastructure out there yes I guess hiring is notoriously hard among startups and in Silicon Valley you know i..."
Matching Candidates with Startups
Jared and Matt delve into the matching process for candidates and startups, highlighting the unique challenges startups face in finding the right fit. They discuss the importance of understanding company culture and the skills required for various roles.
"our portfolio companies and kind of got made made our own kind of hiring portal that's a little bit kind of particular to the way and the types of companies that go through YC mm-hmm and so Jerry do y..."
Understanding Candidate Preferences
Matt Long elaborates on how 'Work at a Startup' gathers data on candidate preferences, including company culture and technical skills. He explains how this information helps match candidates with suitable startups, enhancing the hiring process.
"for hiring I think probably half the engineering team that we hired came through how to use and that's not atypical for YC companies so we have sort of a long history of this we have also long had an ..."
Evolving the Application Process
The discussion shifts to the evolution of the application process for 'Work at a Startup.' Matt shares insights on how the platform has adapted based on feedback from founders and candidates, including the recent inclusion of resume submissions.
"everyone and for every company there's a set of people who would be perfect for them but it's really hard to make that match happen and it's especially hard for startups for large companies like a Mic..."
Diversity in Candidate Applications
Jared and Matt discuss the diversity of candidates applying through 'Work at a Startup.' They highlight the range of skills and experiences that companies are looking for, as well as the geographical diversity of applicants beyond the Bay Area.
"not like how important is out to a potential new engineer and then also of course kind of ranging in though what's kind of sort of like skills and technologies the engineers have mastered the various ..."
Insights from the Hacker News Thread
Jared shares insights from a recent Hacker News thread discussing the pros and cons of working at a startup. He highlights key takeaways, including the importance of autonomy, compensation, and job security for potential candidates.
"interesting and the best matching companies to the top of for these applicants and the founders as well of companies just kind of show them which applicants might be you know right for them yeah how d..."
Compensation and Transparency
The conversation focuses on the significance of fair compensation in attracting talent to startups. Jared emphasizes the need for transparency regarding equity and compensation packages to help candidates make informed decisions.
"kind of yet to be seen but certainly like the star will it'll this be self-reported from the founders themselves I'm curious about how you guys have been doing the matching thus far because this produ..."
Job Security in Startups
Jared discusses the perception of job security in startups compared to larger companies. He explains how 'Work at a Startup' can help mitigate concerns by connecting candidates with multiple opportunities within the YC network.
"resume mm-hmm just because there is a lot of kind of thoughts internally that it may not be the best thing or you know the best way to kind of judge someone based on where they worked before they kind..."
Preparing for the Work at a Startup Conference
Matt and Jared outline the upcoming 'Work at a Startup' conference, detailing what attendees can expect. They discuss the format, keynote speakers, and the opportunity for engineers to connect with startup founders.
"how they're liking the product is well this is great but I don't know anything about them and kind of the first thing I have to do all the time is just go look at their LinkedIn profile okay I kind of..."
What to Expect at the Conference
The hosts provide insights into the conference experience for attendees, emphasizing the chance to learn about various startups and network with founders. They encourage engineers to come prepared with questions and an open mind.
"mint that were were able to find good matches for almost everyone who signs up hmm okay so I'm curious about before we talk about the conference I'm interested in talking about the recent hñ thread an..."
The Importance of Research
Matt advises attendees to research the companies presenting at the conference. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the roles available and being prepared to engage with founders during the event.
"people liked and didn't like about working on a start-up and in particular what YC could do to help because I think we're in a position to be able to help with some of the things that aren't working a..."
Inclusivity of the Conference
Jared clarifies that the conference is open to anyone interested in working at a startup, regardless of their location. He mentions the option for remote attendance and the importance of being willing to relocate.
"important people if you're going to take a job you got to feel like the compensation is fair and startups have to be fair how to be paying fair compensation in order to attract the best talent and tha..."
Exciting Hardware Demos at the Conference
The hosts reveal that the conference will feature hardware demos, showcasing innovative technologies from various startups. They highlight the inclusion of self-driving vehicles and other cutting-edge projects.
"when hiring people job security is very important to people sometimes when you're working in early-stage startup it can feel less secure than working in a big company this startup can go out of busine..."
Tracking Metrics and Success
Jared shares metrics from the 'Work at a Startup' initiative, including the number of engineers who have signed up and engaged with YC companies. He emphasizes the positive response from the YC community and the effectiveness of the platform.
"came up so frequently it was a bit surprising to me because I guess for me that was kind of already unknown quantity yeah going to work at a startup you're probably you know in the general case going ..."
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
The conversation wraps up with Jared and Matt encouraging viewers to sign up for 'Work at a Startup' and attend the upcoming conference. They provide the URL for more information and express their excitement for the initiative.
"I was a co-founder but just kind of the bonds I formed with them you know there's still to this day some like my you know closest friends and it's just things like that I think are kind of like one of..."