Exit 5's Head of Community secured his job by sending a YouTube video outlining his top five ideas for the role before his interview. This pre-interview effort demonstrated his value and initiative, making him a standout candidate despite lacking direct experience.
Instead of just sending a resume, prove your value upfront by delivering something tangible and useful. This could be a report on a website bug, an analysis of API documentation, or a suggested performance improvement. This 'helping' act immediately shifts the dynamic from applicant to proactive contributor.
Sending a resume is now an outdated and ineffective way to get noticed by AI startups. The proven strategy is to demonstrate high agency by building a relevant prototype or feature improvement and emailing it directly to the founders. This approach has led to key hires at companies like Suno and Micro One.
The best way to get noticed by hiring managers is to demonstrate your expertise in a real-world setting, like a webinar or a public project. This acts as a powerful, unsolicited interview, proving your value and legitimacy before a formal process even begins.
A consistent, high-quality newsletter in a specific niche acts as a living resume and portfolio. This strategy allows you to demonstrate expertise and attract inbound career opportunities from target companies. It's a proactive way to 'work backwards' from a desired role by proving your value publicly before you even apply.
To get hired in a competitive market, stop spamming resumes. Instead, consistently create and publish content on platforms like LinkedIn that showcases your expertise, knowledge, and passion for your craft. This demonstrates value and attracts opportunities, making you a magnet for recruiters rather than just another applicant.
A common hiring mistake is prioritizing a conversational 'vibe check' over assessing actual skills. A much better approach is to give candidates a project that simulates the job's core responsibilities, providing a direct and clean signal of their capabilities.
The most promising junior candidates are those who demonstrate self-learning by creating things they weren't asked to do, like a weekend app project. This signal of intrinsic motivation is more valuable than perfectly completed assignments.
If you hate your job or are unemployed, transform your LinkedIn into a content platform. Post daily videos sharing insights and observations about your industry. This demonstrates active expertise and attracts opportunities from hiring managers who see your value, rather than just reading a static resume.
To get hired at a coveted company like Bending Spoons, don't just be polite and professional. Go the extra mile with a surprising or creative gesture, like bringing a bottle of liquor to an interview. This makes a memorable impression and shows personality beyond a polished CV.
Lovable evaluates side projects with the same weight as professional work. A fanatical, well-crafted side project can demonstrate a candidate's ceiling for hard skills and intrinsic motivation more effectively than their day job, making them a top candidate regardless of their formal work history.