Challenges in a start-up Job
Before we start discussing the hiring process of venture-backed start-ups, you must understand the pros and cons of offering your services in a start-up environment and what it actually takes to join a start-up.
When a start-up starts hiring for a job, it is looking for a candidate who can help it become a large successful organization. It is entirely different from an already established organization looking for similar job roles.
Start-ups are new ventures, and every initiative is a new experiment for the company. Every new member is expected to provide value to the whole enterprise and work as a significant part of the team.
Here are the three basic challenges that you have to face in a start-up job:
Uncertainty: A start-up is synonymous with experiments. That’s why many times, the roles and responsibilities are in a somewhat fluid state. The complete team works as a single unit to accomplish goals, and you must be prepared for uncertain challenges in the process.
Pushing your limits: You often have to work more than what you were usually assigned for so that the company can achieve the success it expects. So, you have to be ready for asking questions, digging new paths of progress, and solving more problems than ever.
Emotional investment: When a start-up hires you, it looks for a trustworthy member to its “family” of team members. Your efforts in the company are directly responsible for the success of the whole enterprise. That’s why you must be willing for a committed job and invest more than just “work hours” in the job.
Find the Right Company
Now that you are aware of the challenges and roles in a start-up and think you are fit to take such a job, the next step is finding the right enterprise for you.
Here are the steps you should take to find a suitable company for yourself:
Begin with finding the right field for your job. Search for a domain that makes you most excited such as what kind of brands you like, what type of applications you prefer, etc.
Secondly, choose the place you want to work from. Do you want a remote working job or a regular job? Ask such questions and decide the appropriate location for yourself.
Now, find the companies that you want to work with. If you are looking for high-risk high-profit jobs, you can go for new start-ups. However, if you want a stable job with a higher salary, go for a venture-backed start-up that has started receiving funding.
Before you apply for the job, conduct a thorough research about the best start-ups in your selected area of work. Find the companies that offer evident success and growth potential.
Check their team members, founders, products, market analysis, maximum revenue potential, and every other aspect that makes them a potentially successful brand.
Don’t forget to check the company’s overall business model and how time and other ventures will affect this model.
After shortlisting the companies, the next step is to get the job or “sell yourself.”
Grab the Job
Learn about the company: Before you make the first contact, you should know as many details about the start-up as you can. You can go for their social networks, LinkedIn profiles of the employees, or websites such as CrunchBase and Mattermark. Try to make some valuable connections and relationships that will introduce you to their start-up culture.
Describe what you can contribute: Start-ups are looking for people who can help them expand their market and who have a certain opinion of the enterprise. That’s why you must do your proper homework before the meeting. Read online, talk to customers, perhaps try the product yourself, and finally, make a list of the ideas that can improve the firm’s business.
Offer Help: Don’t expect any sudden benefits from the enterprise. Rather, focus on what you can offer to their success. Make connections and try to add value to the company. Suggest opinions that can benefit the company’s customers, and who knows, a few years later, your new team members may turn into your co-founders!