This article is part of DBA, a new series on Mashable about running a business that features insights from leaders in entrepreneurship, venture capital and management.

If you’re hoping for a job at a business like the one I cofounded — Of a Kind, where a team of four sells the pieces and tells the stories of emerging designers — then here’s something you should know: The hiring process is very different from that of a company with a massive human resources division. So how do you get yourself noticed and employed? Below are 11 things that will make you stand out.

1. Pitch yourself right out of the gate

The most frustrating inquiries I get are the ones from people asking how to apply for a job. If a small company is hiring, you better believe everyone working there is basically drowning. If they aren’t hiring right this minute, the inquiries that catch someone’s eye are the ones from people who seem like go-getters, self-starters and all of the other things people claim to be in interviews but so often aren’t. So prove your efficacy here and now: Write a three-paragraphs-at-most email that expresses your interest in any current openings or ones that might exist in the future, what you’d bring to the table and why you think that this biz is such a star. Include a link to your website and/or attach your resume — bonus points if it’s one page.

2. Read up

Dig into that “Press” tab on a company’s site; Google them; watch videos with the founders. Not only will understanding a company’s goals and motivations give you fodder for an interview when that time comes (fingers crossed!), but it will also help you shape a cover letter and sell yourself.

3. Know who you’re talking to…

Odds are, you aren’t emailing an HR department — you’re reaching out to someone who is your (hopefully) future boss. So don’t you dare kick off a cover letter with "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager." Dig up an email address for the person you’re hoping to target. Guess — who cares if you get a bounce-back? — or write to info@company.com and address the person you hope is on the other end.

4. … And know how to speak to that person

Every company has a voice, and, when it comes to small companies, that voice is very likely shaped by the person or people behind it — not a brand manager or copywriter. Emulate this voice in your cover letter and correspondence. But here’s the trick: Going too far down this road can backfire — you can come off as zany, trying-too-hard, or just out-of-sync with the company’s vibe if you don’t totally nail it. So stay professional, and if you fear you might be pushing things too far, well, maybe you are.

5. Don’t go overboard with resume design

Image: Mashable Composite, Getty Creative, neyro2008, susaro

We’ve never been offended by a plain, boring resume — but we have been turned off by ones that go design-y with loud fonts and splashy backdrops and, as a result, convey an aesthetic that doesn’t mesh with ours.

6. Push what you can contribute — not what title you want

If there’s not a job opening listed and you’re reaching out blindly, position yourself as a Jack/Jill-of-all-trades who’s ready to dive into anything and everything. Then spell out what skills you have that would benefit the company and demonstrate your range. If you’re hoping to be the fifth employee at a company, the crux of your job might be marketing, but you should be prepared to pitch in on all fronts — and you should sell your ability to do so.

7. Don’t say that you’re looking for a new job

That’s made obvious by the fact that you’re reaching out in the first place! It also makes it sound like you’d accept any gig that seemed better than the one you can’t wait to leave (which, fine, maybe you would — but no one needs to know that). The company you’re approaching wants to feel special — like you can’t imagine working anywhere else. Express that, for you, it’s not about just breaking into an industry or working at a startup but rather that it’s the magic of this very impressive company. Just try to say that in a way that’s not so kiss-ass-y, if possible.

8. Make sure your social media activity is up to snuff

You most likely don’t need to do a dramatic overhaul here, but you should probably make sure that, no matter where you’re applying, you haven’t put out a dozen negative tweets in a row. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to emphasize what about you makes you such a good fit for the company you’re approaching. Dying to work for a cooking app? Drag that Pinterest board of recipes to the tippy-top of your profile. Make it easy for someone to see just how right you are.

9. Follow up a meeting with a thanks and some genuine feedback

Yes to a handwritten thank-you card — but yes to a same-day email follow-up as well. Just a nice, short note reflecting on something that was discussed or sharing a quick biz dev thought will do it.

10. Be a super-user

Demonstrate how hardcore you are by using the crap out of the service. You don’t need to be a super-spender if the company charges for its services, but it’s hard for us to believe that anyone is an Of a Kind diehard if she’s never bought a single thing from our site.

11. Proclaim your affections before you ask about jobs

You know what’s amazing as a business owner? To get an email from a customer or user who just wants to say he or she appreciates what you’re doing — and asks nothing in return. If you’re utterly obsessed with a company and would dream of someday working there, write to the people behind it and don’t attach your resume. These are things people remember — or that their inboxes remember if they search for your name when you apply for a gig later. At the very least, it’s good karma.

Mashable Job Board Listings

The Mashable Job Board connects job seekers across the U.S. with unique career opportunities in the digital space. While we publish a wide range of job listings, we have selected a few job opportunities from the past several weeks to help get you started. Happy hunting!

Project Manager at The Onion in Chicago, Illinois

Marketing and Communications Manager at Mixify in New York, New York

Account Director at SocialChorus in San Francisco, California