I remember vividly the feeling of doing my interview with Hendry, our CTO. He was nothing I've experienced before - comfortable in silence, wise beyond years, grounded. In time I learned he was also product oriented (I hear it is a rare thing for CTOs). He wasn't without his shadows. Don't we all get anxiety about something? A hole we're trying to fill?

Anxiety was a common denominator during my probation. I pushed too much on my team lead Dima. We didn't see eye to eye at first. I had to seek solace in others - Avery, our Canadian CEO, Willi, our German head of product. They helped me see all of the assumptions in my head. With time me and Dima improved our relationship a lot.

Some relationships are not meant to last though. My previous employer, an even smaller startup based in Lithuania with USA partners didn't work out due to a sour relationship with the CTO. He made some assumptions used some for me inappropriate language and I had to say goodbye and start to franticly look for a new nest to call home.

My favorite candidates for spotting great jobs? Hacker news who's hiring threads. I've applied to some amazing places through there (Canny.io looking at you) and of course it didn't disappoint this time too. Luisa is still a big name in Modash. She wrote a timeless piece, like mature software that doesn't release new versions, a guide for new candidates on the interview process at Modash. It was one of the many green flags I noticed while researching the position & company.

As with many things startup Modash was going through a transition. The old Head of HR left and they were left scrambling to fill in the gaps. That's why my first interview was with the CTO. It was one of those occurrences where two heads are better than one. The questions and answer I gave were elevated in the presence of Hendry. I came out of the interview feeling a fresh desire for life.

I had a tough time with the interview process but I was already enamoured. The job descriptions, the interview process outline & the CTO had left a daunting first impression. Daunting in a good way. I used to feel intimidated in the presence of Hendry. He was just so fucking cool.

What wasn't cool was the impression I left in the tech interviews. Dima wasn't impressed but gave me a lifeline. The other team lead Kaarel? He said I was ok. Got by the nails end but the most tough part was just ahead.

Avery called me the same minute I was done with the tech interviews. He wanted to fly out to talk. He was in Lithuania the next day. I can't say I wasn't impressed. I was prepping mentally to take him on 1 on 1. Unfortunately the reality of the startup world is - move fast and break things. He surprised me coming together with the CTO. He drilled me for 3 hours straight and by the end of it I said - don't break my heart I love you already.

My first impression of Avery was pure chaotic get things done kind of energy. Quite the opposite of the deep thinking CTO but they were an unbeatable match. The things Avery had to go through to reach current heights. A true hustler.

In the end I accepted the offer and began a new chapter but when I reflect on it writing this now I think things got sealed for me pretty quickly. The vibe I got from Luisa's crumbs led me to the cottage made of candy. I was the Hansel and Modash the Gretel. I was Mario and Modash was collecting stars on each jump. Rarely do things click when checking out companies job listings. I really outsource the process mostly to the billions of gut microbes to make these decisions and the results although challenging but totally worth it.

If you want to show the world, how great you are. This is the place to be. Modash is its people, it has huge upside potential & just needs you to deliver on that potential.