Standout: a career platform that connects job seekers with startup founders via WhatsApp

Standout is a career platform that helps job seekers connect directly with U.S. VC-backed startups via WhatsApp. The platform utilizes AI technology to provide accurate job recommendations based on a user's career background and goals. Job seekers can communicate with Standout's career advisors via WhatsApp and directly with startup founders, skipping the traditional hiring process.Standout covers over 1,000 startups and offers more than 3,500 jobs, focusing on fast matching and an efficient job search experience. Users can start searching for their ideal job by simply initiating a conversation via WhatsApp, which is easy to use and suitable for job seekers who are looking for an efficient job search.

Function List

• WhatsApp Career Counseling : Communicate with career advisors via WhatsApp to share career goals and get personalized advice.
• AI Job Recommendations : Intelligent matching of VC-backed startup jobs based on user background.
• Direct communication from the founder : Direct access to startup founders or executives for quick networking.
• Interview Preparation Guide : Provide interview tips and preparation advice to enhance interview performance.
• Job Application Tracking : Check the status of your application in real time for company feedback and interview progress.
• Salary negotiation support : Assist users in negotiating with companies for more favorable salaries and conditions.

Using Help

How to get started with Standout

1. Contact Standout via WhatsApp
   user access <a href="https://standout.work/">https://standout.work/</a>To add an official Standout account (phone number), click the "Message Standout on WhatsApp" button on the homepage, or scan the QR code on the official website directly from WhatsApp:+1-650-457-6321What's next?) The first message can use the template provided on the website, for example: "Hey Standout! I heard you have great job opportunities for me. What's next?" After a user sends a message, a Standout career counselor usually responds within 24 hours. Standout's Career Counselors usually respond within 24 hours.
2. Communicate with a career counselor
   Through WhatsApp, users can have one-on-one conversations with Standout's career counselors. Users are asked to share their career background, skills, and job search goals, such as wanting to get into a tech startup or looking for remote work. The advisor will ask questions based on the user's needs to understand their career highlights and preferences. Users are advised to have a resume or written descriptions of key experiences ready to provide information quickly.
3. Arranging phone calls
   After an initial exchange on WhatsApp, the consultant will schedule a phone call with the user. During the call, the user can discuss career goals, industries of interest, or company size (e.g., startups or Series A companies) in detail. Each call usually lasts 15-30 minutes and the consultant records the user's needs for subsequent job matching.
4. Receive job referrals
   Standout's AI system analyzes over 3,500 open jobs to generate personalized recommendations based on background information provided by the user. These jobs come from more than 1,000 VC-backed startups, covering companies from Seed to B rounds. Recommendations are sent to the user via WhatsApp with the job title, company profile and match description. Users can reply with jobs of interest and the consultant will provide further details.
5. Direct communication with founders
   When a user is interested in a position, the consultant introduces the user via email to the founder or head of recruitment of the company in question. The introduction email includes an overview of the user's background and a CV to facilitate a quick assessment by the company. Users can also continue to communicate with the consultant via WhatsApp to obtain additional information about the organization, such as company culture or team size.
6. Interview Preparation and Support
   Standout provides interview preparation guidance, including tips for answering common questions and industry-related preparation advice. For example, technical positions may require preparation for algorithmic questions, and consultants will recommend relevant resources. Interview scheduling is coordinated by Standout, and users are notified of interview times and video conference links. After the interview, users can provide feedback on the interview via WhatsApp, and consultants will adjust follow-up recommendations based on the feedback.
7. Salary Negotiation and Onboarding
   If a company offers an employment, Standout's consultants will assist users in negotiating salary and contract terms. The consultant will provide market salary references to help the user negotiate a reasonable offer. After a successful offer, the consultant will confirm the onboarding process, such as signing a contract or scheduling an onboarding appointment.

Featured Functions Operation Procedure

• WhatsApp Career Counseling
  WhatsApp is Standout's core communication tool. After a user sends a message through their official account, an advisor responds quickly, asking about the user's career background and goals. Users can send text, voice or resume files at any time, and consultants provide real-time feedback based on the message. Users are advised to keep their message simple and highlight key experiences, such as "3 years of software development experience, familiar with Python and AWS."
• AI Job Recommendations
  Standout's AI system analyzes a user's professional background and the job requirements of more than 1,000 startups to generate a list of highly matched recommendations. Users receive a job card on WhatsApp with the company name, job description and reason for the match. Users can reply with "interested" or "want to know more" and the consultant will provide further background on the company or arrange a meeting with the founders.
• Founder Direct Chat
  Direct communication with founders is a unique feature of Standout. After the consultant introduces the user to the founder via email, the user can continue to coordinate communication details with the consultant via WhatsApp. Some companies may conduct video interviews directly through Standout's platform, with a link sent to the user's WhatsApp or email.
• Interview and Negotiation Support
  Interview preparation includes mock interviews and feedback. Users can request industry-specific interview advice on WhatsApp, such as "how to prepare for an interview for a data science position." The consultant will provide sample questions and answer frameworks. For salary negotiation, the consultant suggests a reasonable salary range based on industry standards and assists the user in drafting a response email.

caveat

• Make sure the WhatsApp account is the same as the registered email address to avoid missing messages.
• Regularly check WhatsApp notifications and respond to consultant messages in a timely manner to speed up job matching.
• Provide real and detailed career information to ensure the accuracy of AI recommendations.
• When communicating with founders, maintain a professional tone and avoid overly casual expressions.

application scenario

1. Recent graduates seeking employment
   Fresh graduates can use Standout to find internships or entry-level positions at tech startups. The platform's coverage of more than 1,000 startups offers diverse opportunities for students majoring in computer science, data science, or marketing.WhatsApp communication makes the job search process more efficient, and graduates can quickly connect with founders.
2. career changer
   For users looking to move from traditional industries to startups, Standout's Career Advisors provide personalized guidance to help fine-tune resumes and career positioning.The AI Recommendations feature accurately matches users' skills, such as moving from traditional retail to an e-commerce startup.
3. Fast hiring for startups
   Startups can quickly screen high-caliber candidates through Standout. The pool of talent provided by the platform is screened by AI, and founders can communicate directly with candidates to assess their skills and cultural fit, shortening the hiring cycle.

QA

1. Are Standout positions limited to the United States?
   Yes, Standout currently specializes in startup jobs in the US market, covering more than 1,000 VC-backed companies. Some positions support remote work, and international users need to confirm English proficiency and work visa requirements.
2. Do I have to pay to use Standout?
   Basic features such as job recommendations and WhatsApp consultations are free. Premium features such as preferred referrals or in-depth interview coaching may require a subscription to a paid plan, which can be found through WhatsApp Consulting or by visiting the official website.
3. How do I ensure the authenticity of my job postings?
   Standout works with VC-backed startups and all jobs are vetted by the platform. Users can check the company background and founder information in the job details to ensure that the information is reliable.
4. Is WhatsApp communication safe?
   Standout uses WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption technology to protect user privacy. Chats between users and advisors are viewed by both parties only, and the platform does not disclose the information to third parties.