AI Startup Interview Guide:
What Early-Stage Companies Look For

Startup processes are shorter and less standardized: (1) Founder/CTO call (30-60 min) - fit and interest, (2) Technical discussion or pair programming (1-2 hours) - real problems, not LeetCode, (3) Take-home project (optional, 4-8 hours) - build something real, (4) On-site or final round (2-4 hours) - meet the team, cultural fit. Total timeline: 1-3 weeks. Process may compress if they're hiring urgently or extend if fundraising.

Key differences: (1) Real problems over algorithm puzzles—expect to discuss their actual codebase or product challenges, (2) Breadth over depth—can you handle frontend, backend, infrastructure?, (3) Take-home projects are common—they want to see how you actually work, (4) Code quality matters less than functionality—does it work and can you ship it?, (5) System design is more practical—'how would you build our MVP?' not 'design Twitter.' Show you can solve real problems with minimal guidance.

Founders evaluate: (1) Ownership mindset—do you wait for permission or take initiative?, (2) Velocity—can you ship fast without perfect requirements?, (3) Culture fit—will you thrive in ambiguity and change?, (4) Passion—do you care about the problem they're solving? Prepare to discuss: why this startup, what you'd build in the first 30 days, how you've handled ambiguity. Ask them: what's the biggest technical challenge, how do you prioritize, what does success look like in 6 months?

Equity evaluation: (1) Get the full picture—number of shares, total outstanding, valuation, vesting schedule (typically 4 years with 1-year cliff), (2) Understand dilution—future funding rounds will reduce your percentage, (3) Calculate scenarios—what's your equity worth at 2x, 5x, 10x current valuation?, (4) Consider stage—pre-seed (0.5-2%), seed (0.25-1%), Series A (0.1-0.5%), later stages (less). Negotiation tips: equity is more negotiable than salary, ask for acceleration on acquisition, understand exercise windows if you leave.

Watch for: (1) Founders can't articulate the problem they're solving, (2) No discussion of runway or burn rate when you ask, (3) Unclear equity terms or reluctance to share cap table basics, (4) Technical debt they dismiss rather than acknowledge, (5) Unrealistic timelines ('we'll be profitable in 6 months'), (6) High turnover they can't explain, (7) Over-promising on compensation ('equity could be worth millions'). Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is.

Yes—startups value ownership mindset over startup pedigree. Demonstrate: projects you shipped end-to-end, times you went beyond your job description, how you've worked with ambiguity or limited resources. Personal projects and side hustles count. What startups avoid: people who need perfect requirements, who wait for permission, or who only want to work on the 'interesting' parts.

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.