Six traits startups look for during student recruitment
Landing a dream job at a startup (a young and growing company) can be very different from finding the perfect fit at a larger corporation or business that has been around for a long time. Based on many years of businesses connecting with CU Boulder to hire Buffs, here are some of the common traits that startups look for when they recruit students:
Willingness to Fail Forward—Startups are almost always looking to hire people who are willing to try new ways of doing things without fear of failure. Being able to take smart risks and innovate is critical to early success for companies.
Self-Awareness—Knowing how you can contribute to a team is very important in the small and growing group dynamics of startups. To get a better sense of your skills, knowledge and capabilities, consider asking coworkers about your best traits, taking assessments and writing down your unique skillset. An appointment with Career Services can help too!
Intrinsically Motivated—Startups can’t wait around for employees to find their professional passion. The fast pace of startups means they are looking for interns and employees who are driven to succeed and ready to take on new challenges.
Adaptable—Work and needs can shift like afternoon weather in Colorado at startups. It is important to be able to pivot to tackle new obstacles, to be comfortable with some level of uncertainty and to “build the plane as you fly it” as the common saying goes.
Excited to Wear Multiple Hats—At startups, your role might not be very specialized. You may be asked to step in and contribute to multiple parts of the business very quickly. Startups look for candidates who are energized by doing work across the business and even outside of their expertise.
Culture Fit—Culture fit or culture add are phrases that you’ll hear a lot in startup spaces and can mean different things from business to business. Since startups are small teams, it is important that all members of that team not only get along, but help each other to thrive. Culture fit is also a two way street—while companies are seeking the right fit, candidates should also be mindful of whether a startup culture is right for them.
Do you think these traits define you? If you don’t know or you would like to test it out, try gaining experience to get a better sense of yourself. Students often say that the professional experiences they had in college—research, internships, entrepreneurship and work—taught them more about themselves than anything else. At CU Boulder, there are plenty of ways to get started!