Creating and Using Your AngelList Profile
AngelList is a social networking site for startups and job seekers. As with LinkedIn, you'll be able to browse companies and they'll be able to take a look at your qualifications. The key differences between LinkedIn and AngelList are 1) AngelList is exclusively tech companies, and 2) you can easily apply to jobs directly through AngelList. More on the second point later.
Elements of Your AngelList
The Work Experience, Education, and Projects sections of AngelList can be directly copied over from your LinkedIn profile. Be sure to include screenshots of your projects in your AngelList profile -- GIF screenshots are especially cool. You can use the same profile picture you do in your LinkedIn.
Mini-Resume
This is a short description of who you are. Mention that you're a software developer. Additionally, you can include the tools with which you have the most experience, what kind of company you're looking for, and/or some personal details. Examples:
"Software engineer, experienced in JavaScript and Ruby on Rails. Worked previously in film, non-profit, education, and agriculture. @Yale University '15"
"I am a web developer with a background in Ruby on Rails and JavaScript/React.js. Beyond code, I am a traveler, an archaeologist, and a lifelong learner. "
What I Do
The "What I Do" section is almost an extension of your mini-resume. It's your chance to elaborate (briefly) on your qualifications and interests. You can include what you like about coding in general, the kinds of projects you like to work on, the tools you prefer to use, and/or other technical interests you have. Examples:
"I love web development because I get to make beautiful and functional things. Every day I get to work across scales, from big-picture innovation to nuts-and-bolts problem solving.
"I recently automated my company's outbound marketing process by integrating Salesforce, a Python bot, and natural language processing using spaCy.
"I'm a current software engineer, former journalist, and sporadic blogger.
When I'm not working, I'm probably running, solving Sudokus, putting forth an honest effort at swing dancing, or embarrassing my mother with my karaoke habit.
I like puzzles, and that drew me to this field."
Achievements
AngelList asks you to describe "your greatest achievement". Of course, they mean your greatest code-related achievement(s). Some people use this space to give an overview of every project they've done. Others describe their largest/best project in depth. Either is fine. Write in complete sentences and focus on the projects that showcase your most marketable skills (e.g., Ruby on Rails, Django, JavaScript, React, Angular, Java, Machine Learning, etc.). Examples:
"My most recent application is DashboardAlpha (dbalpha.info) where I served as the product owner and full-stack engineer. It was a SeekingAlpha-inspired investment research dashboard that aggregated information and helped investors manage their thoughts on individual securities. I designed an algorithm to dynamically alter displayed content with varying window sizes. I also customized a Backbone.js library to query data from Yahoo! and used Ruby on Rails gems to access Google-search APIs to present updated information of all US stocks.
Another application that I built was Breakout.js., a game that challenges players to clear a brick field with a ball. I served as the front-end engineer and used HTML5 canvas to present a dynamic game display and utilized multiple event listeners to give users multiple control methods. I also leveraged CSS3 features to present a tabbed menu to display game information."
"Highlights of my accomplishments:
- *Senior back-end engineer at TechStack.io, where I led the transition from Rails to Phoenix.
- Sole developer of joglog.me, a full-stack exercise-tracking web application using React on a Rails backend
- Selected as primary sustaining engineer for module in Intel's newest production technology after 6 months on job
- Graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon with a double major in computer science and electrical engineering"
Skills
On AngelList, your skill list should only include technical skills -- languages, libraries, frameworks, etc. Don't include non-technical skills such as spoken/written languages, soft skills, etc. Additionally, AngelList asks you to rate your proficiency with each skill. Choose "Advanced" for any skills you'd be comfortable presenting during an interview.
The "Skills" section is often used by employers to filter for candidates that have what they're looking for, so be complete.
Services
This section isn't necessary to fill out when you're looking for full-time work. It's generally for folks who are offering specific kinds of on-demand work.
What I'm Looking For
Of course you want to say here that you're in search of a full-time software development role, but try to make your statement a little less generic and more tailored to the company and role you're searching for. Are you seeking a company that has a positive social impact? Are you looking for somewhere that will allow you to work with data analysis? Whatever it is, say it here. Examples:
"I love solving challenging problems, especially the ones that relate to scaling and performance improvement. I'm currently looking for an opportunity to work as a Backend Software Engineer, in the SF Bay Area, that exposes me to such problems and hence allows me to grow as an engineer."
"I want to be engulfed within a whirlwind of passionate people who are consumed by a desire to build something meaningful / beautiful / cool."
Locations
Include anywhere you're willing to work. Don't include a location unless you'd seriously consider taking a job there. As with the "Skills" section, employers use location as a filter, so if you don't include your preferred location(s), you're in danger of not being seen by a lot of potential fits.
Markets
This isn't strictly necessary to fill out, but it's nice to have. "Markets" includes things like social media, educational technology, biotechnology, etc.
Using AngelList
"I'm Interested!" vs. the Star
Its title is misleading, but the "Yes, I'm Interested" button is actually a job application. When you click it, congratulations! You have applied for a job. The employer is notified and will likely look at your profile. You have the option of sending the employer a short note when you express interest, and you should always do this. Rather than pasting in your entire cover letter, pare it down to 2-4 sentences about why you'd like to work at the company. If the company is also interested in you, you'll receive an email letting you know that you have a match. If the company doesn't message you directly, send them a follow-up reiterating your interest and qualifications.
If you like a job posting but aren't ready to apply, do not hit "I'm Interested". Instead, star the company to save it for later.
Who to Follow
Start by following current and former coworkers, your classmates, and other people in tech you personally know. Much like Twitter, you can gain helpful information by following leaders in the tech community. If you see a CEO, entrepreneur, or someone else who is a big name at a company you're interested in, follow that person -- you'll then get job recommendations for that company in your feed.
References
AngelList allows you to give references to your peers and to request references. AngelList's rules for references are a little weird -- you can give a reference to anyone who you're following and who is also following you. But you can only request references from people you have worked with in a professional capacity, not collaborators on projects or fellow students.
If you have good tech references who are on AngelList, it's worth reaching out. If you worked closely with a fellow Apply Academy student on a sizable project, you may want to give them a reference and request a reference from them (of course, you'll have to use some other means to make this request -- such as asking them in person :) ).