Why do you want to join a Start-up ?
A typical question asked at Start-Up job interviews ...
I got a chance to talk to (interview) a dozen fresher to mid-level professionals, the answers were surprising and sounded baseless. … did an interesting math with them putting a few facts and experiences of my own.
The insights ... mind boggling!
Either work at a large enterprise or Start-Up (Being the Founder, Co-Founder)…
There is not much merit as early employee, core team member or even with vested ESOPs … except for a fancy big fat tag to showcase on LinkedIn :)
What I have seen with self and friends and the combined experience shows that working at a large enterprise is more rewarding that at a startup (Incase one has an option to).
It is more rewarding in:
- Learning
- Renumeration, Perks and Benefits
- Far better work-life balance
- Realization of ESOPs
- Benefits of Scale
While start-ups are immense learning grounds too, but assuming a minimum of 10 year period before a startup blooms and is ready to shower benefits for you (In this period, a major part of the benefits come in when it has reached the large company phase).
- Learning: Relatively high in a large enterprise. Might not sound though as it looks like you work on a small module. Though working at a Start-up might give you a view and a hands-on at various operational levels, but this learning may be incomplete to reap the benefits of the long run which come in the Scaled up phase (both for you as well as for the Start-Up itself)… and when trying to scale… Either you burnout learning to scale (The experiments at this phase are very expensive and cannot afford to fail) or get led by hired consultants with an experience in working at large enterprises :) But you are a HOT candidate for a senior role in another startup :)
- Renumeration: The Time-Value of money earned and accrued through subsequent savings and investments is much much higher at a large enterprise than what you earn at MANY startups.
- Work Life Balance: :) There is only Work and it is Haphazard and Unstructured. Yes, you are on missions critical and it needs all the very dedication, many a times you are inventing newer methods on a tight string budget of Time and money. It is fun, it is intense and adventurous until you have more than just work to address. Or until you have structured processes and a matured business model(That you get at a large enterprise or the startup you work for has become one).
- ESOPs: 99.5% of the ESOPs issued are unrealised. Infact 90% of these fail in the first 5 years … but those that made the 5 years have a higher probability to make it big.
In My Opinion, to conclude and if possible …
- In the 10 year journey, and a 0.5% success probability(for ESOP realisation), Either have a ESOP % comparable to the founding team or comparable renumeration that you could get at a large enterprise. Don’t fall for the gamble of ESOPs and negotiate your true fixed worth.
- Join a Start-up if you Want to start-up in the next 2-3 years.
- Join a Start-Up if it could enhance your skills to get a better job.
- Start-Up your company.
- It matches what you are passionate at and that outweighs the gamble and the benefits otherwise.
- CHILL, lets see what the universe has planned for you ;p
If any of you are of type (2), looking to start-Up in the next 2-3 years, would love to connect and see if there is a Win-Win.
Growth,Alliances&Mindshare Offering 3 Pillars to Enterprises- Agility, Acceleration, Advancement with AI,ML,Web3 Adoption Executive Ambassador-Blockchain for Productivity Forum Founder- Aarrogyaa Care
3 å¹´major traits might remain same, but i have witnessed changing style of leadership with time/stage amongst progressive leaders. likewise professionals should dive deep and know which stage they are in, ie transformative/facilitative/decision making/supportive/innovative/democratic etc and then take call cautiously on role and kind of organization(start up/corporate) This is independent of exposure tenure and age. And yes unthoughtful and desperate decisions end in vain.You can expect bare survival not success.
IBM Technology Sales Executive | Former VP Sales & Country Manager | Scaling SaaS, AI & Cloud Businesses | Revenue Growth | Market Expansion | Team Leadership | Coach & Mentor | Views My Own
3 å¹´Have worked with start-up and large enterprises. Startup in the early days of career ( 0- 5 yrs) is good for the hands-on experience and the business insight it provides. Later, it's up to the individual's definition of growth? The designation, Access to founders, ESOPs ( with 0.5% chances) OR Stability, Time Value of Money ( Money Today), Career Enhancement ( getting exposure to different functions, technologies). There is no right or wrong-- I personally feel corporate has an edge over strat ups. But in my mind I am type 6- go with the flow :D
Paytm | PayPal | Entropik | KJ Somaiya | LSR
3 å¹´Mix of both: I was privileged individual to contribute my bit to each. Startup is an opportunity to grow and learning is immense. You grow each day and everyday. Corporate has their own pros and cons but you get stagnant after a period of time. For me, its a mix of both and above all, just enjoy your stint wherever you are. No point in dragging when you know its not meant for you. Learning curve is important more than anything else.
Full Stack Software Architect and an Entrepreneur Providing Technology Solutions.
3 å¹´Startup is fun, make your own road..Corporate hates rebels, just follow boss orders to win medals.