What Working for a Startup Really Means

That's not a valid work email account. Please enter your work email (e.g. you@yourcompany.com)
Please enter your work email
(e.g. you@yourcompany.com)

Abstract View of Place - Shopping MallA job ad on Startupers.com recently caught my attention. It read:Co founder(Full Stack Web Developer Engineer Designer) to build website from scratch based on specifications

What’s in it for me?:

Equity, Build the next big company from the ground up, Be a part of New Media, Work with a young Entrepreneur, A great challenge and a new perspective on how business is done and how money can be made.

The remainder of the ad goes on to explain who (the potential CEO) is and why the person is seeking a co-founder. For those used to the traditional “We are seeking to hire” type of job ads, this post may seem a little weird. Yet, these “come join me as I pursue my dreams” ads are becoming increasingly popular nowadays as we see a trend in startup companies.

Ever send a delicious fruit bouquet to someone special? I have and each time it’s been from Edible Arrangements. Who knew this multi-million dollar, international company began as a small startup in Connecticut in 1999 ? Or Sweet Leaf Tea, a multi-million dollar company as well, originated as a 1998 Austin-based startup with the founder’s grandmother’s recipe, his best friend, and pillow cases and crawfish pots for brewing?

Many startups do go on to become very successful companies. Yet, even with the explosion of startups, we do see the downside to these types of ventures. According to a lecturer from Harvard Business School, 75 percent of all startups fail. And with stories like “Will the paycheck clear at your new startup job?” the idea of working at a startup may seem risky.

So if you come across a startup job ad or are just thinking about joining this type of company, remember that, with everything in life, there’s always a good and bad side. Read below to discover some of the pros and cons of what it really means to work for a startup:

Pros

Independence

At a startup you usually have much more independence and control over your work than with a larger company. This helps you “be your own boss” in a sort of way, create your own schedule and/or way of doing things, which is always nice when it comes to work.

Small teams

Many startups have less than 50 employees, some have less than 10. This means you are truly a part of the team and won’t feel like “just a number” or “another employee” as you may in larger companies.

Input

Because the company is so small, your ideas actually have a chance to be heard. Your employer will most likely seek your input and give you the opportunity to really be a part of the creation and advancement of the company.

Flexibility

Most startups offer flexibility with telecommuting and remote positions. Enough said.

Faster career advancement

Unlike at a larger corporation where it may takes years to move up the ranks, at a startup you are able toquickly move up in the company, especially if it grows rapidly.

Cons

Low salary

A smaller business, especially one just starting out, most likely won’t be able to pay you salaries commensurate to that of larger corporations. This can be a downside for those with families or who reside in areas with a higher cost of living.

No benefits

Many small businesses cannot afford to offer benefits, such as medical, dental and vision. Also, paying out-of-pocket expenses can become expensive.

Isolation

If you do work remotely, you may not work face-to-face with your team members or supervisor. This can hinder you in developing interpersonal communication skills and remove the social aspect from a job.

Less is more

Remember the old saying? Well, in this case, less workers will have to handle more tasks. Working at a startup can be stressful as you take on a variety of tasks, although some may count this “lack of routine assignments” as a pro.

By Shala Marks