I believe the best type of content is the one that would have served you at some point in your life. I decided to reflect in depth on the tactical lessons I've learned over the last 5 years—things that seem obvious to me now, but they weren't back then.
That said, consider that these mostly apply in the startup world.
Learn or Earn
In a job, you must either learn or earn money—or better yet, both.
In my case, if I had to choose one, I'd pick learning, since that opens up more opportunities to earn later.
If the job you're in doesn't provide you with either, quit as soon as possible.
I recommend watching this video from Garry Tan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLelgy5zRv4
Start sharing what you learn
One of the things that has given me the most unfair advantage is creating content on social media, in my case particularly on LinkedIn, but any social network is good, as long as you feel comfortable with the format.
Just like this post, the best content is the kind you would have liked to have before. Sometimes it seems like you have nothing to share, but I assure you, you're wrong.
If you're good at something and few people know it, you have to look for work; if you're good at something and many people know it, work finds you.
Consciously choose the company and managers you'll work with
I remember that in my first job at Tata Consultancy Services, they told us: The first job is very important, since it generally sets the direction for the rest of your career.
And it was very true—most people start on a path and stay there for the rest of their trajectory.
It's not bad, but in that case, the good thing about a startup is that it will give you the option to do many things, so you'll have the chance to explore more paths and not just stick to one.
As soon as possible, try to work with exceptional people
One of the worst problems that can happen to you is becoming "the best" in your job, because that's relative and you can end up thinking "I'm amazing!"
However, that's nothing more than ego, and you're wasting your potential.
When you work with exceptional people, you truly measure yourself and get a real sense of what greatness looks like.
This will raise your standards and aspirations to match that new measure, helping you progress rapidly.
Do more than what they ask of you
One of the mental traps I've read about on the Mexico subreddit and elsewhere is that you shouldn't kill yourself for a company. And okay, I understand that most repetitive jobs don't provide much benefit or return, but in startups it's different, especially in early stages.
The things that have helped me advance the most in my first two years were doing and studying much more than what was asked of me.
I knew that in 2 to 5 years I probably wouldn't continue at the company, and that they wouldn't pay me more for it. But the lessons I would take with me.
Accept responsibilities for which you're not prepared
You'll never be sufficiently prepared, but it's that pressure that pushes you to accelerate your learning curve to the maximum.
For example, in my first job I started as a Software Developer Engineer in Test (SDET) where I used mainly JavaScript. After my insistence on obtaining an opportunity as a developer, I was included in a .NET project.
In my life, I had seen but used little of such a programming language, and it was the only time I felt like quitting because I believed I wouldn't meet expectations.
I held on, studied daily, and ended up doing a great job.
It's difficult, because you'll have a lot of stress, but it will be worth it.
Learn to learn
One thing is certain in the technology world that goes hand in hand with the above: you'll never be fully prepared, because there are always new things.
Right now, it's all about Artificial Intelligence, and there will be many more new things.
The most valuable thing you can do is learn how to learn anything you set your mind to—that is, learn to learn.
The way that works for me is to approach this:
- First use Breadth First Search: try to understand as much as possible in breadth of what you want to learn. This will help you contextualize your learning better.
- Then Depth First Search: once you have a superficial understanding, focus only on what helps you complete your current task.
For example:
If my task is to launch a conversion campaign on Meta Ads and I've never done it, then:
First breadth:
- Learn everything possible about Performance Marketing on Meta and different platforms.
- The different types of campaigns and their differences.
- Talk with at least 3 people who have experience doing Performance Marketing.
Then Depth:
- Learn specifically about conversion campaigns: better configuration and videos.
- Configuration of the Meta pixel and the conversion API.
- Common errors and other things.
The first step may seem unnecessary, but again, it gives you a general context—for example, why to do conversion campaigns and not another type.
Learn to send cold messages
One of the things that most people who value their time detest is a message from someone they don't know, like:
- "Hello, how are you?"
In Latin America, we often find it hard to be direct, but if you communicate that way, I would be surprised if you get any response.
I have been able to receive responses from people like Sam Altman or David Vélez because I have learned to be direct and use top-down communication. I recommend this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppokRtCeuyI
When you are extremely clear and concise about what you seek from the other person, the response rate will increase drastically.
You can use this to get work, mentors, or any opportunity that requires a cold DM.
At least once, work in sales where you generate your own pipeline
The problem with working in sales in mature teams is that you don't have to go out and look for leads; rather, you get them from Marketing or, if you work at Google for example, it's easier to get a meeting.
The difficult thing is when you're in a small, unknown company that no one knows. Having to search for leads yourself, pitch, and close a sale is unique.
It will confront you with insecurities and your limiting beliefs.
At least once, try to learn technical things
Not necessarily that you work as a software developer or another technical position, but that you learn the general concepts and try to develop something by yourself.
Try to be brutally honest with yourself and with the people you work with
In my first jobs they told me that the reality of why they would open doors to other tasks for me was because I raised my hand when things weren't going so well or if there was some delay in a delivery.
Most problems within a company are just due to lack of communication. However, many people have a fear of saying they will fail at something because they will feel bad or fear dismissal, but as long as it's not constant, they will trust you more.
And yes, it hurts and scares, but it's the best you can do.
Change Jobs and Roles as Much as Possible as Long as the Incremental Delta Is Big Enough
Change jobs and roles as much as possible as long as the incremental delta is big enough.
For example:
- I quit my job as a back-end engineer at National Western Life Insurance because my new job at Beek would allow me to do front-end, back-end, and mobile, plus see how a startup worked.
- I quit my job at Beek because I wanted to start a company, which did end up happening.
- I quit my job at Makers Fellowship because I had already absorbed what I could from my peers.
- Alexander and I shut down Torrenegra Organization, because we knew both of us could use our time and resources on something bigger.
But if one job is providing you enough incremental growth, then stick with it. This normally only happens if you end up working at a hyper-growth company that goes from zero to unicorn or more, like Rappi, Nubank, OpenAI, etc.
Also, keep in mind that this works mostly as an employee.
At critical moments in time, you can raise the aspirations of other people significantly, especially when they are relatively young, simply by suggesting they do something better or more ambitious than what they might have in mind,