Is working at a startup right for YOU?

Is working at a startup right for you?

Job applicants considering applying to a position within a startup may have some questions about whether or not the job environment is right for them. Startups may have the reputation as hectic or unstable, due to the fact that they are brand new companies! While the potential for rapid growth and success certainly exists- there are also risks that the business may not be able to secure adequate funding, productize their ideas, or successfully access their target market. While risks exist, rewards do too. The only way to determine if working at a startup is right for you is to take into consideration your unique circumstances, career goals, and ideal work environment. Let’s examine each of these factors individually.

Know your location

Something important to consider when determining if a job at a startup is right for you is the geographical location of your workplace. In the days of increasingly remote workplaces, this consideration may be less important, but it is still useful to understand the industry that your prospective employer fits into, and where the geographical hub of that industry is. For example, startups in the medtech and biotech industries typically are located within the Greater Boston area, Southern California (San Diego and Los Angeles primarily), and the Minneapolis metropolitan area. There are also smaller hubs throughout the country, including in Illinois. The point in stating this is that should a startup fail, an employee would be well positioned both geographically and experientially to find another job in the aforementioned areas. (By leveraging remote work trends, an employee can reduce the risk of joining a startup located in a geographical area that isn’t a common industry hub.)

Know your goals

Startups are great for employees looking to gain a wide array of new skills in a field that they haven’t worked in before, or employees in a given field who are looking for opportunities to advance their careers. What is meant by this is: startups are work environments where most employees have much more than one job role. It isn’t uncommon to have a meeting where a company leader asks a group “who can do ___” and someone either states that they can, they’ll try, or they’ll learn to do it. Such an environment is great for an employee who is interested in a career change- they have a variety of skills from their previous field, and are ready to apply them to their new one. Additionally, this environment is a great way for a new graduate to dive into their field of interest. Or, an employee who is already in the field may benefit from the resume-building nature of the vast array of responsibilities and experiences they are sure to have in their new position.?

Know your characteristics

Employees who are flexible, self-motivated, curious, and eager to learn new things are likely to enjoy the atmosphere of a startup. Flexibility is important, as an employee may be working on many different projects at once. Good time management skills are a major key for success in the startup world. Many startups lack the departmental-level resources that major firms have. As such, YOU may be your entire department. In this world, working with your fellow employees and leveraging everyone’s unique training, education, and experience is the best way to accomplish your goals.?

Know your ideal work environment

Building on the previous points, the work environment of a startup is certainly busy, with many different things happening simultaneously. If such an environment would energize you- a startup would likely be a good fit for you. It is safe to say that you can expect something new every day. However, for some, a lack of predictability, uncertain schedule and time demands, and a lack of pre-defined work responsibilities would be frustrating. These employees may want to pursue roles at bigger, more established firms.?

Know your management needs

Another common trait of startup companies is less active management of employees. Most managers at startup companies are ‘working managers’ meaning that being a manager is just one of their job responsibilities. Since your manager may be delivering fundraising pitches to new investors, balancing the books, or conducting science experiments, you’ll have to be able to manage your time effectively, set your own deadlines, and be self motivated. If you’d prefer to have a more active manager with frequent check-ins and feedback, you may be more likely to receive that kind of support at a larger firm.

It is important to note that every company is different, and that not all startups may fit these characteristics. However, by examining your location, career goals, personal characteristics, ideal work environment, and management needs, you can determine if a career at a startup is right for YOU!

Welsford Consulting LLC has decades of experience working with startups and companies of all sizes. If your business has projects that you need help on- please reach out to us! Email: [email protected]