[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!