When students hit “apply” on a job posting, what really happened next?

In our recent CareerOS student webinar, we pulled back the curtain on startup hiring with Claudia Gualdron, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Gorilla, startup recruiter, and former international student.

Claudia revealed what really went on behind the recruiter’s desk—how startups made decisions, why they moved so fast, and the small signals that often made or broke an application.

Why Startup Hiring Is Different

Big corporations rely on long processes, multiple interview rounds, and strict criteria. Startups operate very differently. They:

• Hire much faster—sometimes in as little as a week.
• Prioritize potential and adaptability over years of experience.
• Rely heavily on referrals and networks.
• Create roles from scratch to solve immediate business problems.

For students and early-career professionals, this means they must adapt their approach to stand out.

Key Facts About Startup Hiring

• ✅ Recruiters spend 30 seconds or less on each CV. Clean, tailored CVs stand out—especially those highlighting impact, not just tasks.
• ✅ Green flags include curiosity, outcome-focused profiles, and transparent career history. Red flags include vague job titles, cluttered CVs, or hiding visa needs.
• ✅ Referrals help but are not magic. They give visibility, but candidates still need to prepare and tailor applications.
• ✅ LinkedIn is a recruiter’s first stop. Keeping titles aligned to the local market and making profiles “search-friendly” increases the chance of being found.

Watch On Demand to Learn More Insights from the Session

If you’re a student or recent graduate dreaming of joining a startup, this session was packed with unfiltered, behind-the-scenes advice you won’t find on job boards.