BrassRing Advises Job Seekers to Ask Before They Leap; High-Tech Professionals Should Ask More Probing Questions When Interviewing With Start-Up Companies.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2001

As dot-com companies continue to close up shop, job seekers are becoming more guarded when considering positions with start-up businesses.

However, the opportunities at start-ups can be appealing, offering candidates unique perks and the opportunity to get in on the ground floor and grow with the company. In today's environment, what can job seekers do to protect themselves? Is there a process to evaluate start-up companies to find out more before accepting an offer?

BrassRing, a leading provider of recruiting software and services, counsels job seekers to question prospective start-up companies carefully before accepting a new position. "These companies aren't looking out for you, so it's up to you to do your homework and look out for your best interests by asking informed questions during the interview process," said Sarah Jersild, senior producer, BrassRing.com, a technology-focused career portal. "Find out all you can about the situation you're entering into before you accept the position."

While there are no guarantees when accepting a new position, a candidate shouldn't hesitate to ask questions during the interview process in order to make the best decision about the job and the company. BrassRing recommends candidates ask about the following four areas to help determine the financial health of a company:

    1)  Ask about the company's financial status. When is the next
        round of funding? How much does the company currently have in
        the bank? What is the monthly "burn rate" (the amount of cash
        consumed by the company)? And what are the contingency plans
        if future funding falls through?

    2)  Ask about the management team's experience and what knowledge
        they bring to running the company. Review management's bios,
        which are often available on the company's web site.

    3)  Ask to see the company's business plan. Check to see if it
        clearly outlines the market space being pursued and which
        companies are viewed as competitors.

    4)  Ask who the company's investors are. Then, ask or do some
        research to determine their track record with other start-ups
        with which they've been involved.

For more high-tech career advice and job postings, log on to BrassRing.com (www.brassring.com). The site provides information and services for job seekers as well as employers.

About BrassRing Inc.

BrassRing Inc. is a leading provider of integrated recruiting solutions and Talent Relationship Management (TRM) systems designed to help companies hire better people faster. Created in September 1999 through the combination of several leading recruiting and hiring management firms, BrassRing Inc. consists of BrassRing Career Events, a leading sponsor of technology career fairs in North America and Europe; BrassRing Exchanges, a leading provider of online recruiting solutions for hard-to-hire candidates, including Information Technology employees, MBA graduates and candidates from diverse backgrounds; and BrassRing Systems, a leading provider of Talent Relationship Management solutions. BrassRing Inc. is owned by The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO), Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB), Gannett Co., Inc (NYSE:GCI), and Accel Partners. For additional information, visit www.brassring.com.