Candidate resources

Everything we tell
candidates, in the open

Templates, prep guides and negotiation advice from the recruiters running the searches. Free, no signup, no gated PDFs.

All resources

12 resources
TemplateCV & profile

The one-page startup CV template

The format that survives a thirty-second scan. Fill in the brackets, cut what doesn't apply, keep it to one page.

Get template3 min read
TemplateCV & profile

Engineering CV template

Structured for technical screens: impact first, stack second, no skills bar charts.

Get template3 min read
GuideCV & profile

How to write a LinkedIn headline that gets you found

Recruiters search by title and stack. Here's how to make both work for you.

Read guide4 min read
ChecklistCV & profile

Portfolio review checklist for designers

Twelve things hiring managers look for before they open your case studies.

Open checklist5 min read
GuideInterviewing

The four-stage startup interview loop, explained

What each stage tests and how to prepare without over-rehearsing.

Read guide6 min read
GuideInterviewing

Answering “tell me about a project you're proud of”

The structure that works, with two worked examples.

Read guide5 min read
TemplateInterviewing

Interview prep worksheet

One page to fill in before every call: their product, your examples, your questions.

Get template3 min read
GuideNegotiation

Salary negotiation for startup offers

What's actually negotiable, what to say, and when equity is worth trading base for.

Read guide9 min read
GuideNegotiation

Understanding startup equity

Strike price, vesting, cliffs and dilution in plain language, with worked maths.

Read guide8 min read
ChecklistNegotiation

Questions to ask before you accept

Twenty-two questions on runway, equity terms and team health most candidates forget.

Open checklist9 min read
ToolNegotiation

Offer comparison calculator

Compare two offers on base, equity, bonus and cost of living side by side.

Open tool
GuideCareer planning

Should you join a Seed or a Series B company?

An honest comparison of risk, scope, pay and what you actually learn at each stage.

Read guide6 min read
Interview prep

What a startup loop
actually looks like

No two companies run it identically, but most searches we run follow this shape.

Read the full guide
01

Recruiter screen

Motivation, timeline and salary. Be direct about your number — vagueness costs you leverage later.

02

Hiring manager

Scope and judgement. They want decisions you have made, not responsibilities you have held.

03

Technical or craft deep dive

Real work from their product, discussed live. Think aloud — the reasoning is what's being assessed.

04

Team and founder

Culture and conviction. Also your best chance to ask hard questions about runway and priorities.

Candidate questions

The things people ask us most

Do I have to pay anything to work with you?

Never. Candidates are never charged — our fees are paid by the hiring company after you start.

Will you send my CV anywhere without asking?

No. We ask before every single submission, for every specific role, every time.

What happens if I don't hear back?

You will. We give feedback within 48 hours of every stage, including rejections, with the actual reason.

Can you tell me the salary before I interview?

Yes. We publish a band on every role and tell you where the client will realistically land.

How long do you keep my data?

24 months from our last contact, then it's deleted or anonymised. You can ask us to remove it sooner.

I'm not actively looking. Is it worth talking?

Yes — join the talent network. We'll only contact you when something genuinely matches your criteria.

Not looking right now?

Join the talent network. We only get in touch when a role genuinely matches what you told us — around half the people we place never applied to a listed job.

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