4 ms·

Ask HN: Is it possible to land a job after getting fired from YC startup

Hey, I've got a question for you. Is it possible to land a job at a YC startup after getting let go from a well-known YC startup? So here's the scoop: I got the boot from this high-profile YC startup due to issues after a year on the job. Interestingly enough, I initially worked as a consultant for a few months before snagging the full-time gig, and they were pretty impressed with my work, hence the hire. Now, I won't spill the beans on the details of my fallout with them even-though I'm using a throwaway account, but let's get to the point. Do I stand a chance at landing a gig with other YC startups, or is the YC network so tight that I'll automatically get the boot when applying through https://www.workatastartup.com? I've applied to a few positions that looked like a good fit, but I haven't received a single response. That's why I'm scratching my head and wondering what's going on.

colesantiago 3y ago
yes, you're fine. it's not the end of the world.
sharemywin 3y ago
why wouldn't they reach out to your previous employer to see why you aren't there anymore? BTW, I'm not saying they will just asking it open ended? If there's a high chance they will and high chance the company would answer with something other than a generic answer verifying dates of employment.
- mythrowawayacnt 3y ago
  I don't have a problem with them checking, but I'm curious if I'll have the opportunity to clarify my position and reasons for the short stay.To be honest, I believe they won't provide a negative recommendation. It's mostly a matter of mismatched expectations or miscommunication.
  - comprev 3y ago
    They won't officially give a negative recommendation.... as the phone call that revealed the reason never officially took place. Always assume they will find out in a close knit startup community
- b20000 3y ago
  it should be illegal under CA law for employers to call previous employers with any questions other than did this person work at your company from date X to Y
logicalmonster 3y ago
Contact this YC startup posing as an employer doing a background check and see firsthand what they'll say about if you're so concerned.
- alexander2002 3y ago
  Damn thats smart!
  - ra0x3 3y ago
    And if you can get access to their domain that'd be even smarter ;) Might be hard to pull this off without a person@company.io email
romanhn 3y ago
I wouldn't worry about it. There are tons of reasons for lack of response that are more likely than this kind of backchannelling, i.e. the tough job market, and end of year (new reqs likely to open in January). And fear of legal consequences generally keeps companies from oversharing on employee matters anyways (though I could see inexperienced founders not adhering here). Anyways, good luck, I think it's just the timing here that's not ideal.
codegeek 3y ago
Be ready to be asked "Why you left the other YC startup" and then be ready that the team may check with the other YC company and then match your answers. Just because you left a company or were let go doesn't always mean you were terrible. Since you didnt reveal the reason , we cannot guess. There is nothing wrong with leaving a company and joining another even if you were let go unless you were let go for ethical reasons or extremely poor performance.
notahacker 3y ago
Would have thought many of the well known YC startups are so big that their own founders wouldn't know why you were booted, never mind people doing recruitment for the 2000 other YC startups.
kbrannigan 3y ago
Let us reframe the question: Is it possible to land a job at Burger Emperor after getting fired from the well-known MC Daniels ?
- quickthrower2 3y ago
  The question is more like is it possible to get a job at a Maccas in Chicago after being fired from one in NYC. But I think a good question to ask is - is it possible to get short order cook work anywhere in the US after being fired from McDonalds. Might depend on the reason but, most likely ... yes.
- jytechdevops 3y ago
  i don't think this a good way of reframing OP's question. From the few YC founders I've interacted with, the network they maintain is a lot closer than you may think. They don't all necessarily view each other as competition as one may think.
  - kbrannigan 3y ago
    best employment advice I got was: "Think of your job as a glorified fast-food gig". Standup meetings are the shift meetings before we start Manager 1-on-1, shift manager pulling you aside to tell you how to wield your spatula.

colesantiago 3y ago

yes, you're fine. it's not the end of the world.

sharemywin 3y ago

why wouldn't they reach out to your previous employer to see why you aren't there anymore? BTW, I'm not saying they will just asking it open ended? If there's a high chance they will and high chance the company would answer with something other than a generic answer verifying dates of employment.

mythrowawayacnt 3y ago
I don't have a problem with them checking, but I'm curious if I'll have the opportunity to clarify my position and reasons for the short stay.To be honest, I believe they won't provide a negative recommendation. It's mostly a matter of mismatched expectations or miscommunication.
- comprev 3y ago
  They won't officially give a negative recommendation.... as the phone call that revealed the reason never officially took place. Always assume they will find out in a close knit startup community
b20000 3y ago
it should be illegal under CA law for employers to call previous employers with any questions other than did this person work at your company from date X to Y

logicalmonster 3y ago

Contact this YC startup posing as an employer doing a background check and see firsthand what they'll say about if you're so concerned.

alexander2002 3y ago
Damn thats smart!
- ra0x3 3y ago
  And if you can get access to their domain that'd be even smarter ;) Might be hard to pull this off without a person@company.io email

romanhn 3y ago

I wouldn't worry about it. There are tons of reasons for lack of response that are more likely than this kind of backchannelling, i.e. the tough job market, and end of year (new reqs likely to open in January). And fear of legal consequences generally keeps companies from oversharing on employee matters anyways (though I could see inexperienced founders not adhering here). Anyways, good luck, I think it's just the timing here that's not ideal.

codegeek 3y ago

Be ready to be asked "Why you left the other YC startup" and then be ready that the team may check with the other YC company and then match your answers. Just because you left a company or were let go doesn't always mean you were terrible. Since you didnt reveal the reason , we cannot guess. There is nothing wrong with leaving a company and joining another even if you were let go unless you were let go for ethical reasons or extremely poor performance.

notahacker 3y ago

Would have thought many of the well known YC startups are so big that their own founders wouldn't know why you were booted, never mind people doing recruitment for the 2000 other YC startups.

kbrannigan 3y ago

Let us reframe the question: Is it possible to land a job at Burger Emperor after getting fired from the well-known MC Daniels ?

quickthrower2 3y ago
The question is more like is it possible to get a job at a Maccas in Chicago after being fired from one in NYC. But I think a good question to ask is - is it possible to get short order cook work anywhere in the US after being fired from McDonalds. Might depend on the reason but, most likely ... yes.
jytechdevops 3y ago
i don't think this a good way of reframing OP's question. From the few YC founders I've interacted with, the network they maintain is a lot closer than you may think. They don't all necessarily view each other as competition as one may think.
- kbrannigan 3y ago
  best employment advice I got was: "Think of your job as a glorified fast-food gig". Standup meetings are the shift meetings before we start Manager 1-on-1, shift manager pulling you aside to tell you how to wield your spatula.