1. Mostly through referrals / people they know / sometimes investor intros 2. Lol some are good, most probably don't make a difference 3. Easy to coach, strong work ethic, can start contributing from day 1

More importantly for you, picking the right startup is most of the battle. Make sure you research and interview them; if they don't blow you away, you're better off in a bigger tech company that pays more

If you are interested in startups, this list lets you track the portfolios of Tier 1 investors: https://topstartups.io/