My experience working for start-ups

From my experience working for a start-up is a steep learning curve. With limited access to manpower, there is plenty of work for everyone. In the couple of start-ups I've worked for it was not unusual for small teams to juggle between multiple roles and responsibilities. Add to this fact that everyone’s new at their jobs and you have a workplace that’s as chaotic as it is exciting.

 In my experience, a start-up is a roller-coaster ride that can offer you incredible career experiences and teach you some invaluable life lessons.

A small team, flat hierarchies, irregular work timings, multi-tasking and a vibrant work culture are some of the things that define start-ups. Unlike large corporations where you’re just another cog in the wheel, each worker in a start-up is at the forefront of the business with every act of his/her making a difference to the company’s fortunes.

Start-ups can make you more efficient than you’ve ever been, and they can help you expand your responsibility and knowledge and learn how any business, despite challenges, can effectively get off the ground.

Detailed below are 5 things I learned working for a couple of start-ups in my career (so far):

An Environment of Innovation

One of the most rewarding things about start-ups is that you can find yourself working with a team that is highly passionate and enthusiastic. I had the good fortune of working with a fantastic bunch of super sharp individuals for the better part of two years recently. This sparked inspiration on every level, leading to truly innovative ideas and developments. Being part of an entrepreneurial team is also a wonderful way to learn how to innovate.

 Shaping the Culture

One of the areas that I’m most proud of working with a start-up early in my career and in the last three years is that we have built a culture where talented people came together and make work fun (work doesn’t feel like work). There’s nothing more rewarding than feeling excited to come into the office in the morning to tackle the next challenge the world has thrown at us. You will also find that in start-ups, you get to shape the culture around you.

 Self-learning from day one

Start-Ups by definition are new entities, so everyone is new to the job. Everyone is trying to get a handle on their professional roles. So don’t expect people to ease you into the job or do any handholding. You’ll have to learn the ropes yourself figuring out things as you go.

 Fail fast, learn and move on

When you join a Start-Up, you sign up knowing fully well that there’s more than an even chance of the venture not succeeding. Being part of a team that walks the thin line between success and failure gives you the chance to observe failure up close and fear it less. Also, learning on the job primarily occurs through trial-and-error. The two together will teach you to accept failure gracefully and emerge stronger and more resilient.

 Adapt and grow

The constant ups and downs and juggling between roles will teach you the virtues of adaptability. The experience of working in a start-up, where things are changing every day, will teach you to embrace and adapt to change rather than resist it.

The lessons I’ve learned working for start-ups a couple of times in my career is to never underestimate the power of working for one.

Start-ups can equip you with invaluable hands-on tools and experience, growing your skills, knowledge and even responsibilities rapidly. In fact, a tenure at a start-up can add considerably to both your professional as well as your life skills.