If you’re coming out of a more corporate background, or following traditional interview prep advice, the startup interview might throw you for a loop.

 

Here are six tips to help you nail your interview:

 

1. Research the company on social media and startup news sources.

Your research list needs to extend far beyond the website and major news sources.

• You will likely find the company if you search for them on: Entrepreneur Magazine, TechCrunch, , Mashable, and similar news sources.
• Follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Facebook, Google+ and AngelList.

2. Stalk the staff, politely and only online, of course.

You will find out a lot about the company culture and staff by following founders, executives and anyone that will be interviewing you online.

• Find them on LinkedIn or the company website and learn about their backgrounds.
• Follow them on social media, especially Twitter. Pay attention to their posts, and respond, quote, retweet, etc. The key to being non-creepy here is to keep your interaction to that you would have with anyone else you follow and admire.
• Take note of common interests or backgrounds you can bring up in the interview.
• Use any photos you find to help inform your wardrobe choice for your interview.

 

3. Clean up your digital image.

Your interviewers will likely google you. And, most startup employees are active on social media. Show you are a part of the new digital world by ensuring your social media presence is relevant to the types of jobs you’re focusing on.

• Update your profile summaries and photos.
• Focus on getting up just three good posts on each of your social media outlets. Employers will likely only view your most recent three tweets, your most recent three tumblr blog posts, your most recent three LinkedIn updates, etc.

 

4. Prepare for possible informal conversations or unusual interview questions.

Startups don’t always have structured trainings and procedures for interviews. You might get thrown for a loop!

• If an interviewer is busy with their daily work, they may not have any questions prepared for you. Yikes! This means you’ve got to be ready to show your knowledge conversationally and subtlety throw in some background. Think of three things everyone interviewing you needs to know. Get a friend to practice with you, start a conversation and make it like a game to throw in these three things without it seeming awkward or forced.
• Prepare about 15 questions you can ask the staff  and prioritize your list. This will help in case there are silent moments in the interview. Be sure you have some questions that show your depth of knowledge.
• You’ll likely get open-ended questions, then an opportunity to expand. Be ready with your 60-second go-to answers. Try prepping for these example questions:
  • Can you tell me about yourself?
  • Why would you be a good fit for this role?
  • What are you interested in?
  • What are you good at?

 

5. Prep your follow-up in advance.

Startups operate on speed and efficiency. Impress the team with same-day follow up emails. Draft a few short lines on why you would love to work there, then be ready to personalize it with a note on something you connected with each person on during the interview.

 

6. Get ready for a potential quick decision.

Startups will rarely take more than a week to make a decision. And, because teams are small you might get just a few short hours interviewing with them before they extend an offer. Research in advance so you can have your questions ready.

• Learn about funding and basic business success factors on CrunchBase.
• See if you know anyone in common with the staff on LinkedIn and ask your connections what they know about the company.
• On LinkedIn, look for employees that have left and evaluate. Were they key executives? All from one department? If anything looks off, be ready with questions.

Now you’re ready! Nail that job interview.

About the contributor: is the founder of Skillfer, a tech recruitment firm with deep startup expertise.