[jlind]

The second problem is even further exacerbated as early startups don't want "employees". They want "Employee #1"; someone who is passionate and ready to help push the company forward.

I'm in my senior year of college here in the US and this definitely nails it for me. I've had some solid internships where I've done actual coding / ops / etc, but I don't feel like I'm at the technical level where I could graduate and make huge impacts for a startup.

Are startups who are past the "Employee #1" phase (or even employees 2-5, I'd imagine) in a different position in regards to this? (ie more willing to bring on a recent grad, because they already have strong technical employees/leadership pushing the company forward)

[hailpixel]

My company is early stage still & we still have a very high bar for developers. That said, I hire based on a persons ability to perform, not the time they've been doing it.

If you have a github & portfolio that shows you can create, have an interest in what my company does, and can pitch it to me, I'd hire you.

[jlind]

Maybe this is something that many grads might not realize too, as it's quite different in contrast with hiring processes associated with Enterprise Company XYZ.

It's one of my favorite parts about startup culture in general, though. Whenever I hear people saying stuff like this (re: hiring performance vs experience) my first thought is almost always "where do I sign up?!"