you want to work at a start up?

Consider…

YOU WANT TO WORK AT A START UP?

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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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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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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.

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

?

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.

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Read the blog and get help at

www.jordanridge.com