Cynics Get To Be Right, Optimists Get To Be Rich

JOB SEARCH STRATEGY
Here’s To The Optimists.

I’ve always considered myself to be a glass-half-full kind of guy.

That’s part of the reason why I’m drawn to startups.

Startups are full of, as Steve Jobs called them, the crazy ones.

The optimistic people who believe that things are going to be better than they are right now and see progress as inevitable.

They’re the ones excited about being a part of that progress.

Being the one to drive us toward that better future.

I always wanted to work on something I could point to and tell my kids, “I built that.”

But not everyone sees startups that way.

Many are cynical about their ability to create change or their odds of success.

This week, I heard a quote perfectly encapsulating the two sides.

So let’s dig into why, for many, it feels good to be cynical, but for you as a startup job seeker and startup operator, optimism can be your most significant competitive advantage and possibly be the exact tool you need to collect generational wealth.

FREE WORKSHOP
The Elite Startup Job Search Process.

Before diving deeper into the optimism advantage, I want to share something to help you land your next startup job.

I'm hosting a FREE startup job search workshop on Tuesday, November 21, at 7 pm ET.

In the workshop, I'll share the exact blueprint I used to go from a cubicle data entry job I hated to a job as one of the earliest Uber employees in less than 90 days in a new city with no network in startups or tech and without applying online.

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JOB SEARCH STRATEGY
The Nature of Startups.

Startups and startup investing are a numbers game.

In Venture Capital (the investment firms funding many startups), this is represented by the Power Law.

The VC Power Law is a widely accepted and observed truth that a small number of investments across a VC fund will yield far greater returns than the rest.

One or two investments in wildly successful companies can compensate for the dozens of unsuccessful investments the VC makes.

This is why you hear stats like 90% of startups fail while also seeing startups like Uber provide a 4000x return on investment for early investors.

This law applies to startup careers as well.

Founders don’t typically hit a home run every at-bat.

As the law shows, the first company likely won’t succeed, but the second or third company has a much higher chance of doing well or becoming a rocketship.

And that’s not just true for the founders.

Often, the first startup someone joins as an operator isn’t wildly successful, but they have built a network in the industry and a set of sought-after skills they can leverage to land a job at a startup better positioned for success.

That’s their ticket on the rocketship.

And then… there are people like me who go from a dead-end job in a cubicle directly into a world-changing company like Uber and completely change their life and career in their first shot.

All of the above is possible and true in the world of startups.

That's why I hear job seekers often say, "Startups are too risky," despite massive layoffs at larger, more established companies.

It’s true that startups are inherently uncertain.

If the path were certain, you wouldn’t be building anything new.

You wouldn’t be disrupting the old way of doing things.

The familiarity and comfort with risk and uncertainty are the fuel that powers entrepreneurs and startup operators through the ups and downs of building something the world has never seen.

Remember, no risk - no reward.

Playing The Game Not To Be Disappointed.

It’s easy for smart people to be cynical because they hide it behind being “fact-based” or “realistic.”

They know that nine out of ten startups fail, and by pointing to that fact, they’ll be right more times than they are wrong.

They can point to the new company, technology, leadership style, and way of working and say, “That will never work.”

And you know what?

The stats show that they’re probably right.

But if you take that stance, you’re not playing the game to win.

You’re playing the game not to lose.

You'll never be disappointed if you always assume that things will be terrible and nothing will work out.

But if you take that stance, the stats also show that you will be majorly wrong once in a while.

And the times you are wrong will massively outweigh the times you were right.

This is why those who see the world optimistically see what could work and find hidden gems that turn into world-changing companies.

If you can find one of those world-changing companies you believe in, join them in the mission, and are granted equity, you can forever change the world and your financial future.

That reality is not true for the cynics and pessimists.

The Optimism Advantage.

Have you ever heard a story of a person who had a major win and told themselves it would never work?

The sideline reporter runs up to them after their unbelievable victory, hands them the microphone, and they shout, “I knew I couldn’t do it!”

Of course not.

That’s not how psychology works.

Sure, there may have been times they doubted themselves and thought about throwing in the towel and taking the easy path, but something pulled them through.

You know what it was?

Optimism.

Their ability to envision a better future propelled them to those great heights and allowed them to see those setbacks and challenges not as a sign they weren’t meant for their dreams but as a lesson for improvement that would accelerate their progress.

There is no glory or progress in being down on yourself, telling yourself it’ll never work, and settling for a less-than-desirable company, role, and future.

As Connor McGregor said…

Those who are optimists and see the opportunity in everything around them will push through when things get tough.

They’ll see opportunities where others only see failure, and as a result, they’ll win bigger and more likely to achieve their goals and realize their dreams.

Why Optimism Matters In Your Job Search.

If you were crafting the ideal startup employee, what traits would they have?

Grit, drive, scrappiness, energy, enthusiasm, intelligence, and emotional stability.

But above all else, they would have optimism and belief the mission will succeed.

From my experience as a hiring manager for a startup, I can tell you that I can spot a person who believes and a person who doesn’t believe from a mile away.

Optimism in your job search will also lead you to:

• Try new things to stand out, like video messages and content creation

• Reach out for help when you’re feeling stuck

• Talk to new people

• Share your interests

• Believe you will reach the final destination

• Find ways that it can work instead of ways it won’t

The optimist is always saying, “How could this work?”

It will stop you from giving up.

It will lead you to see opportunity where others see failure and jump on it.

Like the person who gets an auto-rejection and turns it into an interview.

Without even knowing her, I can tell that she’s an optimist.

Crafting Your Optimistic Mindset.

So now’s the part where I help you put concepts to action.

How do we cultivate an optimistic mindset?

STEP 1: Create an inspiring vision of your future that you believe in.

• Get as detailed as possible.

• Who are you with?

• What are you doing?

• What does it feel like?

STEP 2: Understand why achieving that vision matters.

• What is the impact you wish to make?

• Who will benefit from it?

• What will it mean for you?

• What will it mean for the people that mean most to you?

STEP 3: Begin focusing on solutions vs problems.

• Everyone can point out problems.

• Optimists move quickly to identify solutions.

• Don’t get caught up in steps 50 to 100

• Focus on step 1, then move on to step 2.

• Identify the ways it could work.

• Ask yourself, “What needs to happen for this to be true.”

STEP 4: See Setbacks As Teachers

• When you hit a roadblock, a setback, a disappointment, or a failure stop to take stock.

• Detail what happened.

• Identify why you think it happened.

• Understand what you can do next time to prevent it from happening.

• Get back to taking action as quickly as possible.

• Know that there are millions of companies worldwide, and the odds that many of them need precisely what you have to offer is 100%.

OPEN ROLES
Who’s Hiring?

Databricks

• What They Do: Databricks offers a dynamic data intelligence platform, blending the art of data integration with the power of AI. Their platform transforms data exploration into an intuitive, secure, and high-performance journey, empowering clients to turn complex data into groundbreaking insights with ease.

• Number of Employees: 7756

• Last Known Valuation: $43.68B 🦄

• Total Raised To Date: $4.18B

• Last Raise Date: November 13, 2023

• Recent Raise: $684.56M

• Series: I

• Pitchbook Success Probability: 98% Success

• Open Roles? Yes

• Hiring Departments:

  • Customer Success

  • Engineering

  • Field Engineering

  • Finance

  • IT

  • Legal

  • Marketing

  • Operations

  • People & HR

  • Product

  • Professional Services

  • Sales

  • Security

Runway

• What They Do: Runway is revolutionizing the business financial world, blending modern design with cutting-edge engineering. Their software is more than just a tool; it catalyzes clarity, empowering teams to navigate financial data with unprecedented power and speed. By providing a crystal-clear view of their financial landscape, they enable companies to align their teams, fostering collaboration and facilitating quick, informed decision-making.

• Number of Employees: 26

• Last Known Valuation: $117.50M

• Total Raised To Date: $32.50M

• Last Raise Date: July 17, 2023

• Recent Raise: $27.50M

• Series: A

• Pitchbook Success Probability: 98% Success

• Open Roles? Yes

• Hiring Departments:

  • Engineering

  • Design

  • Sales and Customer Success

  • Marketing

Curri

• What They Do: Curri is redefining logistics in the construction world, offering a robust platform tailored explicitly for the seamless movement of construction materials, parts, and tools. Their service extends nationwide, providing an efficient link between sites, warehouses, and stores like Home Depot. This platform isn't just about moving packages; it's about revolutionizing distributors' operations, offering hassle-free deliveries at a fraction of the cost. Curri is a game-changer, making material logistics quicker, easier, and more affordable for the construction industry.

• Number of Employees: 132

• Last Known Valuation: $162.00M

• Total Raised To Date: $50.80M

• Last Raise Date: June 06, 2023

• Recent Raise: $42.00M

• Series: B

• Pitchbook Success Probability: 98% Success

• Open Roles? Yes

• Hiring Departments:

  • Finance

  • Operations

  • Sales

  • Engineering

So there you have it, my rationale for why I’m a bleeding heart optimist.

In my life, optimism has served me well.

It’s why I asked for the phone number of a girl I met in a sea of thousands of people at a music festival. That girl later became my wife.

It’s why I quit my job in Seattle and moved across the country to New York City.

It’s why I ended up with a job as one of Uber’s earliest employees.

It’s why after a layoff, I landed a job with a $100k salary increase in less than 90 days.

It’s why I founded Early to help eliminate the anxiety, uncertainty, and loneliness of the job hunt and to help ambitious job seekers land jobs at the next generation of world-changing companies.

And it’s why I see job seekers go from no offers at all to a sea of offers.

Startups are not the place of cynics.

They’re the place of dreamers, doers, and…

Optimists.

Let’s become career champions together 🏆

Kyle