I’ve gotten asked a lot about YC interviews in the last week. Here are some tips:
1/ Know and explain your core metrics. If your north star is DAU, you should be able to say what it is today, your growth trajectory, and specific measures you’re taking to improve it (e.g. homepage testing, funnel optimization, other marketing channels).
2/ Explain the small and big idea. Small = your short-term target niche that you will dominate immediately. Big = the way you take this niche domination and grow into a massive market.
3/ Convey founder synergy. I’ve literally seen founders talk over each other in the interview! Not smart. Act as a cohesive unit and be prepared to explain how you complement each other.
4/ Be concise and boil your answers down to the basics. It’s a 10 min interview, so 15 extra seconds on every answer adds up fast.
5/ Write down 3 things that you HAVE TO get across. These are the points that will tip the scales in your favor. The interview goes by fast, and by keeping it to three you have time to guide the conversation to cover all of them.
6/ Don’t be defensive - it shows that you can’t take constructive criticism or thoughtfully consider feedback. Acting defensive is probably the single worst thing you can do.
7/ Be confident and remember that you are the expert. It’s ok to be nervous, but it shouldn’t detract from your expertise and command of the information. Your interviewers are crazy smart on all-things startups, but they don’t know more than you on this subject.
8/ Above all, prepare. I explain some great ways to prepare on the Atrium blog: atrium.co/blog/yc-interv…
