How should I respond to startup company interview questions and Startup Company Interview Preparation? I would like to find out through the case of an applicant who recently applied to a startup and is undergoing an interview. The applicant made a scenario and thoroughly prepared for the interview. However, the questions that came out in the actual interview were a type that the applicant did not prepare at all, as in the example above. He responded improvised, but when he came home, he said that the interview situation was so embarrassing that it was impossible to reconsider. From this, it can be seen that the startup interview is quite different from the general interview. In this column, here we are going, to sum up, Startup Company Interview Preparation.

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I would like to look at a few questions on how to prepare for interviews for applicants who are preparing for a start-up job / Startup Company Interview Preparation.

Q. What do you think of startups?
Q. What did you do in the past?
Q. What kind of marketing does our company need right now?
Q. Doesn’t it matter if the other team members are younger?
Q. Is there any reluctance to learn new?
Q. What if you face a problem that you cannot solve on your own?

1. About Us

Most start-ups give a brief introduction to the company at the interview. A basic company introduction is made to prevent misinformation or thoughts about the company in advance and to give the interviewee an image of a company that has sufficient competitiveness regardless of its size. Since it is a startup, there are inevitable points that are less than that of large companies and mid-sized companies. Mention that point, but emphasize the strengths so that the negative image can be offset. Therefore, it will be possible to leave an impression if applicants first grasp some of the differentiated competitiveness of the company.

2. What do you think of startups?

This is perhaps more important than the motivation to apply for the company. The companies we support are startups, not large companies with a well-established system and a solid position. In recent years, startups have made a lot of progress both in terms of time and in the environment. So, let’s first look for the positive aspects of startups and think about them, and think about ways to solve the negative aspects. Regarding start-ups, I continued to deal with them in the previous column. Let’s look at the related content again. If you understand the startup and set your motivation for applying right away. The interviewers’ thoughts about applicants will surely become a little more generous.

3. Do you have any reluctance to learn new?

This question belongs to the frequent side of writing, along with what to do if you face a problem that cannot be solved by yourself. And these questions are linked to the nature of startups. Most startups have no or insufficient work system and are in a situation where there is a lack of clear skills for their job, so there is a high possibility that they will not instruct or kindly inform all tasks like the company image in dramas. 

There may be more types of work to find and do than to do only what is given. And the members of the group have to deal with their personal affairs and at the same time make a lot of things new with their colleagues. So start-ups tend to ask for teamwork from applicants, while also hoping for problem-solving skills. It can be said that it is a necessary competency as a startup member to accurately understand the task in charge and the company’s direction, and actively seek and improve effective measures when problems arise.

4. What did you do before?

It’s common, but it’s a question of great importance in startup interviews. This is because they are looking for people who need to be put into practice right away and produce results. Other companies have departments (marketing team, quality control department, etc.) that do the same job and manage the jobs by dividing them into different positions. However, in startups, only the person in charge of the job is decided. It plays an important role in business responsibilities as it takes over not only part of the job but the whole. That is why I try to see if I have an active attitude and effective workability by asking what kind of work I did before during the interview.


Startup interviews are a place where both the company and the interviewee are tense. Trying to impress the other side in a rather rigid atmosphere is to produce good results. And the decisive factor that can make a good impression at an interview is a sincere attitude. Sincerity comes from impressions, but also from well-prepared and sincere answers. We hope you enjoy the joy of passing by preparing customized answers for startups using this part as a guide.

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Startup Company Interview Preparation

In recent years, public companies and large companies are in full swing for the first half of the year, and many companies are currently undergoing interview screening. However, because startups are always hired, interviews are ongoing. And startup representatives are always struggling to select suitable candidates for companies and jobs. Today, I would like to briefly introduce the case of a startup CEO who is contemplating the selection process after the final interview.

He held an interview last Friday, and he has to select one out of three interviewees. The first interviewer has a strong understanding of jobs and startups through previous experience but has a strong personal tendency. The second applicant has a positive attitude toward startups and an outgoing personality but has no work experience at all. The third applicant is evaluated as an interviewer who has a lot of work-related knowledge but does not know what a startup is.

The scores of the interviewers evaluated together are summed up, and the final decision, including the score of the representative, remains. Interviewing is a difficult time for the interviewee, but it is also very burdensome and difficult for the company. We are approaching it carefully and carefully. Then, let’s look at the questions that frequently come up in startups and think about the direction of the answers together, as to what kind of question came to this evaluation.

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1. Why did you apply for a startup?

This is a question you ask directly from the beginning. Instead of comparing it with other companies, you can think about the strengths and expectations of a startup together and answer honestly.

2. What kind of career do you want to make in the future?

In a startup, a career is not made, it is making. Let’s make a plan by organizing each job stage rather than a standard plan (1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.).

3. What was your most difficult experience?

It would be nice if you could solve it yourself, but if it is difficult, an answer that falls within the category that the problem can be solved within the company is required. In particular, avoid answers about human relationships.

4. What are your most curious questions about our company?

Specifically, a link question is needed. If there is insufficient information about the company, check the business model content (ex. artificial intelligence stock investment, etc.) and ask questions.

5. What is your business style?

Match the job to your working style. It’s not that hard workers or smart workers are important, but they want to see if they can solve a given task themselves.

6. What have you learned from your previous work or experience?

Think about what you can use right now. If you highlight it as a strength, the direction of the question will continue to point towards it.

7. Do you want to start a business in the future?

Entrepreneurship is a positive idea in startups. I don’t think I’m running away, so let’s answer comfortably. However, avoid answering that you approach starting a business with simple items.

8. Do you have any work you would like to do when you join?

This is an important part where my work content may change. Due to the nature of startups, work is quite flexible. I just need to objectively and logically appeal what I can do well.

In response to requests from many applicants for recent interviews, I wrote about interviews up to this column. In a startup interview, you have to show yourself exactly. Or even companies can misjudge me. At the beginning of this column, let’s think about how the company will look at me like the case of a startup CEO, and organize your thoughts in the direction you want.

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