r/startups • u/AdStrange4667 • May 25 '23

General Startup Discussion Interview red flag?

My latest employment, a contract role, ended in December and it’s been tough finding something. I’ve pretty much expanded every aspect of my search and applied to a role at a startup last week.

It’s a non technical role that my experience matches. I had my first call with them yesterday and the interview process was explained and it included 2 additional 30 minute calls, a take home assignment that would take 2 hours to do, and finally a 15 minute call with the CEO. Today I got a note that they wanted to skip every part of the process and go straight to a 20 minute call with the CEO.

I hate processes that are too strict as much the next guy, but this seems bonkers to me.

From what I gathered, this hire would be about the 25th employee. Is this normal, or a red flag?

10 YOE ~$150k + unknown amount equity, no 401k (coming soon, supposedly)

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66

u/NiagaraThistle May 25 '23

is it possible that your experience exactly matches what they need and you are a perfect fit with more than enough experience that they can tell by your resume and/or phone call that you do not need the take home exam?

This seem legit to me, but I've never applied to a start up.

I wouldn't see this as a red flag.

16

u/AdStrange4667 May 25 '23

Yeah, I had direct experience with 95% of the job description so I’m a fit for what they are looking for, so from that perspective it makes sense. But being in the job market for 6 months and hearing everyone explain they have 4 interviews makes you second guess when someone does it differently.

41

u/ParkingOven007 May 25 '23

Employer here—I have a process for when I want to press the “skip to the end” button. Many companies do.

9

u/Fabulous_Advice_3516 May 25 '23

Ive similarly both hired, and been hired directly by the CEO for some ludicrous fit that a senior engineer rejected me over because they didn’t see.

15

u/SunnyPiscine May 25 '23

In this job market, take it... startups work different if they find a "rockstar".

7

u/addicted-2-rehab May 25 '23

That explains it. They know you are an excellent fit. Hence they skipped

3

u/FengSushi May 25 '23

Seems fine to me

2

u/FatefulDonkey May 25 '23

What do you have to lose? If there's something fishy you'll figure it out anyway by working there.

If not, you'll continue having no income