10 pieces of advice for preparing for a YC interview
1
  • Interview is 10 minutes long and goes fast — practice and time yourself
  • 2
  • The focus will be on Team, Market, and Traction
  • 3
  • Most answers should be no longer than 20-30 seconds — follow up questions will come
  • 4
  • Don't try to demo first thing — demos are usually in the second half of the interview
  • 5
  • Founders shouldn't talk over each other or contradict each other
  • 6
  • The first question is "what do you do" — have a great 30 second answer that covers what you do with an example. This is the hardest and most impactful question — AVOID JARGON — your mom and dad should be able to understand what you do from this answer.
  • 7
  • There are websites with sample interview questions — google them and practice
  • 8
  • Questions will be rapid fire — you won't be able to control the direction ot the interview — Just roll with it :)
  • 9
  • When you intro yourselves in the beginning be clear about which founders does business and which does tech
  • 10
  • If there are any red flag/weak points for your startup be ready to answer a question about them with clear 15 second answers. Be prepared but don't dwell on the bad.