How to Leverage a Nontech Background (and Fight Imposter Syndrome)
Having a nontraditional background can be the secret to creating value in tech and attracting funding. The key is to understand how to leverage your unique skills.Understanding what VCs are valuing and understanding what they are looking for can help minimize the effects of imposter syndrome that non-traditional backgrounds tend to feel.
What’s the value of a nontraditional background?
Difficult to find investors and support in the startup world, especially if you are not from the “FAANG” group of companies (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Alphabet’s Google)
- The difference in vision and perspective allows for successful collaboration and diversity of thought
Flex Your Skills From Past Experience
Everyone carries a unique perspective, so leverage your skills from past experiences with those of your team to create a healthy amalgamation of abilities.
- Don’t feel “less-than” for coming into the tech industry from a nontraditional background
Embrace your ability to think like a buyer
When tech isn’t your background, you can see the product for its real benefits and drawbacks, plus how to improve it and how to sell it.
- Marketing is about forging connections and being believable. Empathize and persuade your customers and VCs.
Speak multiple industry languages
Having a nontraditional background can expose you to myriad industries and roles, which allows you to absorb the vernacular of different industry spaces and to shape-shift effortlessly to different situations
- When you have this experience, you’re better able to see how to generate revenue based on what you learned from time spent in other industries