I recently wrapped up a nine-month stint at an early-stage startup that ultimately ran out of funding. I knew the risks involved when I joined, and I genuinely believe it was a valuable experience; I got to work on a wide range of projects and deliver results that I likely wouldn't have been able to achieve in a more established organization. However, as I’ve started my job search again, I’ve encountered an unexpected hurdle. Recruiters from larger companies seem to view the gap in my employment history as a red flag, despite my explanations about the startup's closure. Interestingly, my story resonates well with recruiters from other startups or growth-stage companies, but at more established firms, I've noticed interviewers becoming less engaged when I explain my situation. One piece of feedback I received suggested that they were concerned about my judgment for having chosen to work at a company that ultimately failed. It’s perplexing to me that this is seen as a negative, as startups folding is a common occurrence in the industry. I'm curious if others at a senior individual contributor level have faced similar challenges when their gap involves a failed startup. Are there strategies for framing this experience differently, or should I just accept that some company cultures will always perceive this as a risk signal? While I’ve performed well in the technical interviews, it’s the narrative surrounding my employment gap that seems to be causing friction in my job search.