HACKER Q&A
📣 mythrowawayacnt

Is it possible to land a job after getting fired from YC startup


Hey, I've got a question for you. Is it possible to land a job at a YC startup after getting let go from a well-known YC startup?

So here's the scoop: I got the boot from this high-profile YC startup due to issues after a year on the job. Interestingly enough, I initially worked as a consultant for a few months before snagging the full-time gig, and they were pretty impressed with my work, hence the hire.

Now, I won't spill the beans on the details of my fallout with them even-though I'm using a throwaway account, but let's get to the point. Do I stand a chance at landing a gig with other YC startups, or is the YC network so tight that I'll automatically get the boot when applying through https://www.workatastartup.com? I've applied to a few positions that looked like a good fit, but I haven't received a single response. That's why I'm scratching my head and wondering what's going on.

  👤 codegeek Accepted Answer ✓
Be ready to be asked "Why you left the other YC startup" and then be ready that the team may check with the other YC company and then match your answers. Just because you left a company or were let go doesn't always mean you were terrible. Since you didnt reveal the reason , we cannot guess. There is nothing wrong with leaving a company and joining another even if you were let go unless you were let go for ethical reasons or extremely poor performance.
👤 logicalmonster
Contact this YC startup posing as an employer doing a background check and see firsthand what they'll say about if you're so concerned.
👤 kbrannigan
Let us reframe the question: Is it possible to land a job at Burger Emperor after getting fired from the well-known MC Daniels ?
👤 romanhn
I wouldn't worry about it. There are tons of reasons for lack of response that are more likely than this kind of backchannelling, i.e. the tough job market, and end of year (new reqs likely to open in January). And fear of legal consequences generally keeps companies from oversharing on employee matters anyways (though I could see inexperienced founders not adhering here). Anyways, good luck, I think it's just the timing here that's not ideal.
👤 notahacker
Would have thought many of the well known YC startups are so big that their own founders wouldn't know why you were booted, never mind people doing recruitment for the 2000 other YC startups.
👤 sharemywin
why wouldn't they reach out to your previous employer to see why you aren't there anymore?

BTW, I'm not saying they will just asking it open ended? If there's a high chance they will and high chance the company would answer with something other than a generic answer verifying dates of employment.

👤 colesantiago
yes, you're fine. it's not the end of the world.