A look at the introspective aspects of joining an existing start up.

1. Consider…
YOU WANT TO WORK AT A START UP?
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2. NOT EVERYONE IS CUT OUT TO WORK AT A START UP
That is not to say that people who work at start ups
are superior to others, rather they may simply have
a different outlook or physical circumstance.
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3. Look at three career elements before taking the
plunge with a start up.
• Your goals
• Can you do the job
• Personal opportunity cost
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4. YOUR GOALS
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Why would anyone want to work for a company,
which, by definition of being a start up, is likely to
fail?
• Dreams of big money
• Social cachet
• The excitement of the fast pace
• Desire to build a business from “nothing”

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Beyond those reasons,
you’re probably just looking for a job,
and you’re probably looking in the wrong place.

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And if your only goals for working at a start up are
to cash in big or for social value, you will be
disappointed.

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If your main goals include growing a business or
thriving in an exciting, fast-paced environment, you
are much more likely to personally succeed at a
start up, and to help it succeed as well.

8. CAN YOU DO THE JOB?
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“Of course I can do the job” is your answer.
But…

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Can you think beyond the job description?

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Can you think big?

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Can you work with incomplete informa…?

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Can you put up with change?

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Can you make your own copies
and your own travel arrangements
and order lunch for the client visit?

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Oh, and can you wear the proverbial “many hats,”
even doing the jobs that are
beneath you
?

15. PERSONAL OPPORTUNITY COST
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In choosing to work for a start up you forego
working for a traditional company and some of
those benefits.

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You will most definitely incur risk in your
employment future.

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You will also likely sacrifice family time, working
long hours and weekends to make the business go.

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Most likely you will give up some $alary.
Start ups tend to be cash-poor and pay less with
the promise of future reward from equity.

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This reduced $alary may further affect the $alary you
can command in your next gig if they find out what
you have been making.

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You may also sacrifice traditional advancement
because start ups run lean and organizations tend
to be flat, with managers reporting to VPs and not
much in between.

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Then there is the flip-side to that scenario in which you
end up with a VP title in your first job
and have to take on a low-level manager role in your
next job.

22. WRAP
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So, working for start ups is a bad idea?

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No!

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Just be aware of potential issues.
Consider if it is right for you,
or the right time for you.

25. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Read the blog and get help at
www.jordanridge.com