Always have a plan
If you’re in need of income, it’s tempting to apply to every open position you find. The idea is that you’ll be strategic about your top companies but why not just apply everywhere, right?
No. Every reply to an application takes time, energy, and enthusiasm. Having a plan helps you figure how which ones to target and, if there is an influx, how to prioritize each.
If you’re taking you’re time, it’s tempting to reply to a friendly recruiter for a product that you’ve been interested in. It sounds cool and, well, you may just been burned by your last employer so why not do something that sounds neat?
No. Recruiters are trained to lure you in and hide the bad stuff. The product and role might be interesting but if the incentives for the company and its executives aren’t aligned with what you’re looking for then you may find yourself disappointed.
Having a plan is about designing a framework for yourself of how to prioritize roles based on career goals, financial goals, and mental health.
What to consider in the plan?
Career goals
Financial goals
Mental health
Dimensions to consider
Revenue/success structure Founder profile and ambitions
Tiers
Why important?
You know how much time to spend on them Research on questions that company asks Reach to friends/connections/strangers from that company Watch videos on interviewing there Watch videos from leadership/product launches/podcasts Understand what the company needs to do for future success Sometimes different than what they do now Read some articles about them (google news) Maybe research some questions They’re super high on one aspects of criteria Someone reached out to you