246: Join a Startup to Progress Fast and Build a Strong Skillset with Steve Kahan

<p>Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Steve Kahan. He has a distinguished career. Steve has helped to grow seven startup companies from early-stage development to going public or being sold, resulting in a total value of more than $3 billion.</p> <p>He is currently Chief Marketing Officer for Thycotic, a cybersecurity company, which he has helped take from $10 million to over $60 million in its first three years.</p> <p>And late last year his book “Be A Startup Superstar: Ignite Your Career Working at a Tech Startup” was published by Wiley.</p> <p>In this episode, Phil and Steve Kahan discuss the benefits of working for a startup, how to pick one with a winning product and quickly track down the best jobs within the sector. They also cover how to give yourself the best chance of landing the job you want. Then what you need to do to progress quickly and take full advantage of the chance to grow your skillset.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS:</strong></p> <p><strong>(3.06) CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST STARTUP EXPERIENCE?</strong></p> <p>Steve started by looking for startup companies in his area. He took a job with a company that was working to change the way applications were being developed.</p> <p> </p> <p>On his first day, he noticed someone taking the coffee machine away. It turned out the company could not afford to pay the bill. But, with hard work, they turned things around and the business went public.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>(4.54) WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND WORKING FOR A TECH START-UP OVER A LARGE CORPORATION?</strong></p> <p>Startups are usually run by mavericks. People who want to do something different and are highly driven. They don’t let bureaucracy stop them. Startups move fast and change the world. Someone who can deliver will quickly progress within that environment.</p> <p> </p> <p>Steve also explains why some large corporations now try to create a startup-like environment within some of their departments.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>(10.05) HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT FIN