Ask HN: Should I put my startup on my resume?

[JohnBrookz]

Hey guys I recently launched my company’s first product last month. It’s a ML driven comic collection manager app. We have 1200 users so it’s been a great success for a bootstrapped company.

Unfortunately I’m also trying to find a job. I’ve been stuck at as a mid level engineer with a 5 YOE. I’m debating whether or not I should put it on my resume.

[jedberg]

I lost a job because I included my startup on my resume. But before you decide if you should skip it because of that, read on.

When I was in college I created a tiny ISP for my friends in my apartment. I got a DSL (which was $350/mo in 1999, about $1200/mo in today's dollars). Then I ran ethernet cables to all the apartments, and set up the router and collected payment from everyone.

I put this on my resume as running a small ISP.

When I was interviewing at Google, everything was great, I was on the last interview, and he asked me about it. So I told him honestly about how I had 10 customers. And he said "oh, so not a real business, why would you put this on here?". And then he rejected me and I didn't get into Google pre-IPO (I had an insider tell me it was his rejection that did me in and it was the only reason he didn't like me).

So my point is, if it's there it invites questions. If you have a good story it can only be a good thing (and you honestly have a good story). Just be aware people might ask questions and be ready to answer.

[flashgordon]

Ah I had a similar one (nobody as high profile as G ofcourse). But I can attest sitting in those interview committee meetings trying to point out these biases against such candidates only to be disappointed! Well atleast you went to do bigger and better things mate!

[shprd]

> I’m debating whether or not I should put it on my resume.

Tailor your resume for the role you're applying for.

If the role is purely engineering, then show relevant tech skills. Instead of I built a startup, you could say I built a a platform X that does this using this.

When you're applying for a job you're basically submitting an answer to a question, so you need to understand what they need from you. Putting `I made a startup with X number of users` signals that you've your own thing and would leave in a heartbeat. It only make sense if you're looking for an advisor position related to product/business.

[karaterobot]

OP, this is very good advice. As an entrepreneur, you know that you need to understand your potential customers, and tailor your presentation to them. When interviewing, you are the product, and you should tailor your resume and interview performance to the sales pitch you are making.

[tucaz]

There are two sides for you to consider.

On the positive side, it gives the hiring manager, if they care for that, a signal that you can build and ship stuff. You have tried building your own company and has more experience around the challenges that most devs do not have. I love to interview people who built stuff.

On the negative side, it also signals that you might not be as committed to the new company since you are pursuing something on the side, or has demonstrated that you want to pursue something other than the engagement you are applying for. I’m not saying that you can’t do both things at once, or that X is better than Z. Just stating how it might come across and can negatively affect your job search.

As long as you consider these two sides and come up with a “solution” to this, you are in the path to make an informed decision and can “defend” your position.

Good luck!

[wavemode]

While I agree that your "negative side" reasoning comes into play in some hiring managers' minds, in my experience filtering those companies out can be beneficial anyway. There's a night and day difference between the culture of companies that think "I like that my employees are inventive and have hands-on experience building things from scratch" versus companies that think "I'm threatened that my employee might start his own business and not need this job anymore."

[kasey_junk]

A) your resume should not be your first entry point to a job.

B) your resume should be tailored to the particular job. So you’d want to gauge whether it’s valuable on a case by case basis.

[psychip]

tech companies are like italian mafia. they want your loyalty, not your past attempts to create another mob

[brudgers]

Do you want to work for a company where it will be a problem?

If not putting it on your resume will help filter them out.

[sroussey]

Add a section called Projects, and put it there. It shows initiative, curiosity, etc., all good things.

[Malidir]

Add it, but don't mention you have 1200 users.

Essentially put yourself in the hiring managers shoes and say 'what's in it for him/his company/the role being done well'.

[curiousllama]

Oh man, I had the exact opposite reaction to 1200 users. If that's retained MAU - that's a lot!

I generally assume someone has 0 users unless they express otherwise.

[nick3443]

If you list 1200 users and I was interviewing you, I'd want to know it was 1200 users actually getting value from the product, and how you communicate that using metrics etc.

[ipaddr]

If you have a gap it can go in your employment section. If not put it in a project section.

It can become a hiring story or an example in your cover letter.

[r0n22]

Depending on the hiring manager having outside commitments might be a deal breaker. I would rather be upfront than hide it.

I love seeing our candidates having outside projects/etc but we make sure that there is a clear delineation between what our company offers vs what is done by the employee.

[dolleik]

No, but make it sound like you like to work on pet projects outside of work. If only for the sake of having a bullet point to talk about in the interview. If they ask, just talk about some funny/difficult problem.

[bubblebeard]

Think it’s great to put that on your resume. If I was to apply for a new job I’d like to believe they would be more interested in the things I’ve built and designed then my grades or past positions.

[frostbyrne]

I don't have anything to add on the resume point, but I'm curious if you'd be comfortable sharing the app name? It sounds like something I would use.

[mehulashah]

Put it on the resume. I'd hire you.

[sghiassy]

Yes