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I was CTO of a <20 person startup. I recruited the entire tech team, collaborated with the CEO to build the product backlog and spec things out, presented to in
by icedchai 1y ago
I was CTO of a <20 person startup. I recruited the entire tech team, collaborated with the CEO to build the product backlog and spec things out, presented to investors, but also had at least 50% time to code. Not all “CTO” roles are the same. At a small company they better be hands on.
- tptacek 1y agoThis is very similar to my own role, but I didn't have (nor would I have accepted) that title.
- icedchai 1y agoOn my resume, I usually list it as “Lead Engineer” since it fits the roles I’m applying to better.
- tptacek 1y agoI think a founder/early gets away with "CTO" on their resume, esp. if they're the only person in the org with the role (ie: it's a PM-style CTO, and there isn't a VP/PM; or: it's a VP/E-style CTO, and there isn't a VP/E). But outside that circumstance, given the choice, I'd rather have the VP/PM or VP/E role than "CTO". (As we get deeper into these threads I am further out on a limb.)
- icedchai 1y agoYes, I was one of the first hires. My role was closer to VP/E and "CTO" was mostly vanity, a reward for being early and getting a new company through the first couple years.