Startup Versus Corporate Job: What's Better for You?
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If you’re re-entering the job market you’ve probably asked yourself if you should consider applying for a startup versus a corporate job.
On one hand, the corporate world may be a space that you know and are comfortable with. On the other hand, startups seem to offer a sweeter life. Perks like less rigid job descriptions, higher potential growth, more flexible hours, and established remote culture are easily enticing. When we’re talking about our careers though, it can’t all be about perks.
While perks are nice you have to worry about if the startup will actually pay your bills now with a competitive salary (versus promising a ‘big payoff’ via equity later) and if it’s financially stable enough to sustain itself into the future.
Assuming you get these questions answered, your next step in vetting a startup versus a corporate job involves looking at your work environment. Beyond salary, the question turns to figuring out what your day to day life will look like. What will the hierarchy look like? How will you be expected to output work? Are you ready for an environment where two days can be drastically different and is it a challenge you’re up for?
There’s no harm in choosing one over the other but I want to help you decide so that you can appropriately narrow down your job hunt and get closer to your dream role.
If you’re considering a startup versus a corporate job, ask yourself these 3 questions to see which is a better fit for you
Do you like finding creative solutions?
If you’re used to working in a corporate environment you likely are used to working with standard operating procedures complete with established guidelines for how things have always been done. When changes come they are often delivered via memos from your boss’s boss’s boss that frequently feel out of touch with people working on the front lines. Corporations often value efficiency but that doesn’t always mean it makes sense to the person having to implement mandates from up high.
If this is why you’re considering choosing a startup versus a corporate job know that when it comes to standard operating procedures it’s often the opposite. In a startup environment, especially if you’re an early employee you are frequently doing something for the first time. If you’re frequently working with your direct manager who is also the head of the department you are frequently figuring out how something will get done by juggling resources and not just executing on a plan compiled by someone else.
Another difference still, you might not have all of the resources in a corporate world that you do in a startup. You may have a small team, small budget, or very tight timeline (and sometimes all 3) to work through as you find solutions for your problems. This means you have to get creative and piece together a solution that works for everyone involved.
Are you eager to get the job done, however that means executing it?
Working at larger companies you might be used to very defined job roles. You may be used to calling on designers, developers, copywriters, videographers, ad specialists, product managers, etc. whenever you need to. At a startup, this is often a luxury you don’t have. Instead of having entire departments dedicated to these tasks, there might be one designer, developer, or copywriter, each with a to-do list a mile long. So jumping in at the last minute to help you on a project might not be doable which would make the responsibilities fall to you.
That’s if you have help. If you’re pursuing a creative or marketing role you may always be expected to wear multiple hats to get the job done. Sometimes that involves doing things you know need to get done, even if you don’t love doing them.
If you’re interested in leadership roles, can you pivot quickly?
I’ve mentioned the need to find creative solutions and being able to roll up your sleeves to accomplish tasks at a startup but what if you’re leading a team? What special skills are going to be most helpful? The ability to step back and take a look at the big picture and then pivot in the direction of your goals.
The other thing about startups is that goals (and sometimes even daily tasks) can change quickly and you have to be able to roll with the punches if they do. More importantly, if you’re in a leadership position you need to be able to corral your team towards the new goal at a moment’s notice with the level of transparency allowed.
If the company is in dire need of a new influx of cash, can you do your part without implying to your team that the sky is falling (even if it is). A candidate with the ability to pivot quickly based on the needs of the company while being a support system for team members is one of the biggest requests I get from hiring managers.
If you said yes to all of these, it might be time to stop pursuing roles from traditional corporate companies and go the startup route.
Tell me below if a startup sounds like a fit for you!
