Startups are popping up across the United States and continue to grow rapidly, especially in Atlanta .
Although most startups, specifically in the tech industry, are associated with the west coast or northeast, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is making sure that tech startups continue to grow in the city.
Adam Harrell board president of Startup Atlanta, a non-profit that works on growing and connecting the local startup community, provides useful tips to people who want to get a job at a startup in metro Atlanta.
1. Make connections
Networking is essential in helping to advance your career and in helping you land your dream job. This is no different with startups. "The easiest way to get a job at a startup is to connect with a founder or co-founder," Harrell said. "In the earliest stages of a company they're the ones who will make the hiring decisions."
» RELATED: 29 metro Atlanta job hunting resources you haven't tried
2. Have a strong portfolio
Harrell says that the best way to stand out from the crowd is to have a strong body of work that represents your skills. "If you're a developer, show what you've built and include your GitHub page [public webpages] on your resume. If you're a designer, have a strong creative portfolio," Harrell said. He continues to say that if you're a marketer, highlight the campaigns you've created, the content you've created as well as the communities you've helped organize.
» RELATED: 7 ways to network your way to a new job in metro Atlanta
3. Be competitive
Harrell mentions that although startups are always looking for talent, there are a few roles that might be harder to attain. "Entry-level roles in sales or marketing can be more competitive as the barriers to entry are lower and there's a larger number of candidates," he said. While sales or marketing might be more competitive, Harrell says that engineering and design talent is highly sought after and in high demand.
For those interested in landing a job at a startup, Harrell shares these words of wisdom: "If you believe in the founder and the product, then getting in early is a great way to be on the ground floor as the company scales." He adds, "The role you have the day you start and the role you have in 12 to 18 months could be very different. That's also what makes it fun. So you have to embrace it and be willing to go along for the ride."
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