Hey friends,
A few days ago I shared a post breaking down LinkedIn’s Top 50 Startups of 2025.
And from all the DMs that followed, I know a lot of you are thinking the same thing:
“How do I actually get a job at one of these?”
Getting your foot in the door at a fast-growing startup doesn’t just give you a new title, it can completely reshape your career trajectory overnight.
You gain skills faster, work closer to leadership, and often see your salary jump much sooner than in traditional corporate paths.
But here’s the thing… Startups hire differently.
They care less about polished resumes and more about momentum, curiosity, and your proven ability to build things that matter.
So today, let’s break down exactly how to stand out and get hired at one of these top startups
1. Target startups that match your mission and momentum
Top startups like Perplexity, Cadence, and MagicSchool AI are built around bold missions, not just products.
If you want to stand out, align your “why” with theirs.
“I’m inspired by Cadence’s work in remote care because I’ve seen firsthand how better health data improves outcomes.”
That kind of alignment means more than a fancy degree, it shows you get what they’re trying to build.
2. Use LinkedIn to decode what they’re looking for
Every company on LinkedIn has a “People” tab that reveals the top skills of their employees.
That’s free market research most job seekers ignore.
Check it out, find the top 3–5 skills shared by employees in your target role and make sure those skills appear in your own headline, About section, and Skills list.
(By the way, this is one of the exact strategies I teach step-by-step inside my Mastering LinkedIn Course)
Because once you “speak the same language” as the startups and its people, recruiters start finding you.
3. Demonstrate a builder mindset
Startups love doers, not dreamers.
Create something that proves you can solve problems without being told how.
It could be a mini-project, a blog post, or even a small automation.
Show, don’t tell.
When hiring managers see you’ve already built something (even small), it instantly separates you from 90% of applicants.
4. Network the smart way
Instead of cold-applying, warm up your outreach.
Comment on founders’ and team members’ LinkedIn posts for a week or two. Share insights, not simple reactions.
Then send a personalized connection request:
“I’ve been following your updates on [X project], really love how your team’s tackling [Y challenge]. Would love to stay connected.”
That’s essentially it, but for more templates tailored for your specific purpose, I share those in Mastering LinkedIn as well.
You’re now a familiar face in their notifications instead of another name in their inbox.
5. Tell a “startup-ready” story
Startups prize people who can adapt and wear multiple hats.
Your story should highlight times you moved fast with limited structure. Whether that’s a side project, freelance gig, or university initiative.
Don’t just say “I’m adaptable.” Prove it with short examples of when and how you adapted.
6. Use LinkedIn Insights to shape your positioning
Go to a startup’s LinkedIn page and click “Insights.”
You’ll see where employees came from and which roles are trending.
If most hires came from similar companies or skill sets, position yourself as the next logical fit.
7. Learn and adapt at startup speed
Startups like Underdog, Function Health, and Fireworks AI scaled 10–20× in just a few years.
They hire people who can learn faster than the environment changes.
Pick one critical skill (AI tools, SQL, Figma, HubSpot or whatever’s relevant) and commit to mastering it in 30 days.
Then document your progress on LinkedIn.
That “learn-build-share” rhythm mirrors startup culture perfectly.
8. Make your LinkedIn feed work for you
If you’re serious about landing a startup role, you can’t be invisible online.
Start posting, even just twice a month (my Mastering LinkedIn students know how much I talk about this, AND exactly how to do this!)
For example:
“3 things I learned studying LinkedIn’s Top Startups 2025 list”
“Why AI literacy matters for every teacher, lessons from MagicSchool AI”
Posting like this helps recruiters recognize your name before your application ever lands in their inbox.
9. Be specific in your outreach
Generic messages get ignored.
Instead of asking “Are you hiring?”, ask about how they’re solving specific problems:
“I saw your team’s expansion in marketing and I’m curious on how you are approaching customer growth in the new product line?”
That curiosity turns a cold DM on LinkedIn into a conversation.
10. Play the long game
Startups hire based on timing.
Funding rounds, new launches, and growth milestones can trigger openings overnight.
Stay in the loop by following company pages, engaging occasionally, and checking roles monthly.
If you keep showing up with genuine interest, you’ll be the first person they think of when they’re ready to hire.
TL;DR
Blend the two worlds:
LinkedIn for visibility and connection
Startup mindset for initiative and growth
Unfortunately, most people stop at reading advice like this.
Action is always harder than words, especially when you don’t know exactly what to do.
So if you’d rather skip the trial and error and instead get an exact blueprint on how to go from having trouble finding any kind job…
To being an in-demand candidate that multiple start-ups are fighting for…
You need to check out my course Mastering LinkedIn.
It will help you turn your profile into a magnet for start-up recruiters. No guess work and it will only take you about 10 minutes per day.
Stay tuned for the next newsletter, where I’ll share all of my favorite job boards that are specifically made for startup job seekers!
-Megan