The double favor: what getting my first job taught me

I received this advice once:

When you're 19, 20, 21 years old, you might not be celebrated at that stage in life for being smart, having ideas and being focused. You won't get celebrated then, but give it 5 more years, give it 10 more years, and you will become such a valuable individual in society. The world will be in your hands.

I think this basically explains how a young person might feel when looking for a job. When we are thrown into the world looking for a job, we are kind of asking someone to teach us and, at the same time, pay us for doing so. We are asking for a double favor. At least that's what I thought.

There is this marketing idea from Seth Godin called "The Purple Cow". The book basically explains how to stand out in a world full of advertising, where the attention your brand gets is so limited. I no longer consider it a marketing book, since this principle applies to every aspect of our lives. I know you don't see the point yet. We're getting there.

I think getting a job is quite similar.

Three years ago I went to an event that brought together exceptional young talent and companies. There I discovered what a startup was and how different it is from a traditional company (more on that later). It was also where I first heard of my current company and had my first contact with them. At the time I was in my first year of computer science in a different city, so the distance made it almost impossible for me to work there anytime soon.

I really wanted the job and the company, so for 2.5 years I texted one of the employees every 5 or 6 months. I knew I couldn't get hired yet, but this was all about compound interest. I went to offline events they organized and constantly researched how the company was doing.

After those 2.5 years I noticed it was a good time to start. They already knew me, so the conversations were easier. They asked me for a short video about myself, and I realized I had enough context about them. So I made a video comparing the stage they were at when I first met them with where they are now, packing in all the research I had already done.

I have to admit, not all of this was intentional. It was the byproduct of my obsession with this company. I got the job, and before stepping into the office I had already learned a life-changing lesson: give before you take, and constantly try to be that purple cow everyone remembers.

People often wonder what's so special about startups. First, a misconception I used to have: that to get a job, a company must like you. We forget that companies are people. It has always been about people and the skill of communicating with them.

For me, startups are so special because they are usually mission-driven. They have a strong purpose behind their work. As they are early-stage companies, the role you get is usually messy. You have to figure stuff out and take ownership of your learning, which leads to unlimited growth, not only professionally but personally.

As someone who believed you need a family with contacts to find side doors, I can confirm this is not true. At the end of the day, if what you are seeking is to be taught and paid without giving something in return, a side door won't give you that. What I've learned helps in these cases is showing interest in what companies do and providing some value in advance.

I think for young people this Purple Cow principle can be really useful. In a world full of similarities between individuals, uniqueness stands out, so when it's time to decide, the choice has already been made.

Getting in is the first step. Finding your place inside the company is the second one. That alone could cover a whole new essay.