> There is only one reason to join a startup as an employee: you really really really believe in the mission and you reallyx3 believe that the team can execute.
I'd say this is fairly reasonable.
> So, what are you really applying for?
For the opportunity to get in the funnel of startups using this system, so you can evaluate which ones have missions and teams you believe in and find one to work at. Presuming more than a few use this system, even if they don't use it exclusively, that's potentially a more efficient approach than research startups individually, finding ones you would want to work at, and then navigating their own individual hiring systems (and, to the extent you might miss some good startups that aren't using this system, there's no reason you can't also do that as well as the shotgun system.)
I'm going to assume your answer was "I want to have a semi-curated list of companies that are interested in me"
In and of itself, that's not a bad list to have. BUT deciding on which one you want to work at for the next 3 years should be more of a "I want to work there" not "let's see which ones will have me". So if you really want to work at a YC startup then go over to http://yclist.com/. Do some due diligence on who excites you ( not "which is the most exciting one that will have me") and apply to that one. Trust me. In the long run doing so will save you a lot more time.
Joining an early stage startup isn't a job, it's a lifestyle.
> Joining an early stage startup isn't a job, it's a lifestyle.
It absolutely is a job. The choice to pursue that kind of job is a lifestyle choice, sure, but no less so than the choice to prefer a job with a large corporation or similar institution (its a different lifestyle choice, of course, but its no more or less of one.)
Sure, taken like that everything is alifestyle choice.
My point, which I guess made poorly, is a startup will consume your life so don't just work for "a startup" driven by "startups are cool". Rather, do your due diligence.
I'd say this is fairly reasonable.
> So, what are you really applying for?
For the opportunity to get in the funnel of startups using this system, so you can evaluate which ones have missions and teams you believe in and find one to work at. Presuming more than a few use this system, even if they don't use it exclusively, that's potentially a more efficient approach than research startups individually, finding ones you would want to work at, and then navigating their own individual hiring systems (and, to the extent you might miss some good startups that aren't using this system, there's no reason you can't also do that as well as the shotgun system.)