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I agree with a couple of your points but I think you might be overreacting. When the OP said to hang out at HN or learn all about the culture, that's really he

I agree with a couple of your points but I think you might be overreacting. When the OP said to hang out at HN or learn all about the culture, that's really helpful for those who are completely unfamiliar with the whole industry. A lot of smart kids have never entered this world and it's a good primer. Just because they are new to startups doesn't make them hopeless -- I arrived a couple years ago and spent a few months just getting acquainted through tireless immersion. Cold emails are fine, if they have an edge to them and are informed and targeted. If you get emails from people who clearly put there heart into writing it, I think it's at least worth a quick reply. You're not a celebrity. And how else do you expect someone to get into the industry without some cold emails or calls? As someone who just got their foot in the door, I can definitively say one works at least twice as hard outside the industry than when one gets a job. Have some respect for that nonpaid effort, I say. That said, one should always be building up a defined skillset concurrently.

edw519 16y ago
I agree with a couple of your points but I think you might be overreacting. You're probably right and if so, I apologize. I guess it's just my way of venting my frustration with so many people talking when they should be listening. To me, OP's post just seems like feeding fuel to that fire. I would never want to discourage anyone from becoming part of our community. It's just that some ways are much better than others. And how else do you expect someone to get into the industry without some cold emails or calls? Networking. Better to get out there without an agenda, meet people, and grow. Most of us would much rather meet someone and get to know them than to just delete another unsolicited email among hundreds of others. Whether you email, network, or do something else, here's the most important thing: have something of value to offer, and offer it. That will get you noticed. That said, one should always be building up a defined skillset concurrently. Definitely! This never ends.
- jsavimbi 16y ago
  "Networking." Absolutely right. Do you know how hard it is to find good potential hires? It's really fucking hard, costly and time-consuming. If you think you're doing someone a favor by dropping off your resume at their job-fair booth, you've got some things to learn. The best jobs are found via recommendation for a positions; better than that is to be recommended as a hire without there even being a position open with your specific skill or even a strategy in place on how to address that. Nobody is going to read your blog posts and come calling. (Unfortunately, some times they do for reasons unknown. Don't ask me why.) The only way to do that is to get out there and execute on your ideas, make friends with as many people as you can, respect them and yourself and yes, network your ass off, even if you aren't looking for a job. Show some chuptzah, create demand around yourself and get them thinking that if they don't float an offer out to you, someone else will.
- nhangen 16y ago
  Better to get out there without an agenda This is the key to real networking. Agendas often spoil the opportunity.

edw519 16y ago

I agree with a couple of your points but I think you might be overreacting. You're probably right and if so, I apologize. I guess it's just my way of venting my frustration with so many people talking when they should be listening. To me, OP's post just seems like feeding fuel to that fire. I would never want to discourage anyone from becoming part of our community. It's just that some ways are much better than others. And how else do you expect someone to get into the industry without some cold emails or calls? Networking. Better to get out there without an agenda, meet people, and grow. Most of us would much rather meet someone and get to know them than to just delete another unsolicited email among hundreds of others. Whether you email, network, or do something else, here's the most important thing: have something of value to offer, and offer it. That will get you noticed. That said, one should always be building up a defined skillset concurrently. Definitely! This never ends.

jsavimbi 16y ago
"Networking." Absolutely right. Do you know how hard it is to find good potential hires? It's really fucking hard, costly and time-consuming. If you think you're doing someone a favor by dropping off your resume at their job-fair booth, you've got some things to learn. The best jobs are found via recommendation for a positions; better than that is to be recommended as a hire without there even being a position open with your specific skill or even a strategy in place on how to address that. Nobody is going to read your blog posts and come calling. (Unfortunately, some times they do for reasons unknown. Don't ask me why.) The only way to do that is to get out there and execute on your ideas, make friends with as many people as you can, respect them and yourself and yes, network your ass off, even if you aren't looking for a job. Show some chuptzah, create demand around yourself and get them thinking that if they don't float an offer out to you, someone else will.
nhangen 16y ago
Better to get out there without an agenda This is the key to real networking. Agendas often spoil the opportunity.