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EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS - BLOG www.careeradvice.lucasgroup.com

Working at a startup company can be both risky and rewarding. As a Sales & Marketing recruiter with Lucas Group, I work with all types of companies from Fortune 10 corporations to small, startup operations. When screening candidates for positions, there are a number of factors that come into play when helping them determine what type of environment would be a good fit for them.

Niche vs. Broad

For those professionals looking for a very specialized role with very specific tasks, larger organizations typically offer the opportunity to focus on one skill set or project. With big companies, responsibilities are broken into silos so that each employee gets a smaller piece of the pie to digest. At smaller startup companies, roles are generally broader. Usually employees are required to do whatever needs to be done to keep the company going, and roles and responsibilities may be general and varied. Depending on your personality and skill set, you may find yourself learning toward one model or the other.

Risk vs. Stability

Working for a startup company definitely has its risks; however, it typically comes with higher reward. You may take less in compensation in exchange for part ownership of the company or be able to play a larger role in the overall company strategy and growth plan. It’s important to be clear on what you’re looking for and what you want in an organization and role in order to determine if a startup company would be the right fit for you.

Startup companies are more prevalent in different regions of the country such as the West Coast, notably San Francisco and Seattle, as well as in New York City and Houston. In my experience, I’ve recognized that having an MBA or post-college degree is more desirous by startup companies than larger organizations. Furthermore, startup companies typically seek individuals with entrepreneurial mindsets and offer a totally different profile than a Fortune 500-1000 corporation.

Have you worked for or are you contemplating going to work for a startup company? We would like to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Is Working for a Startup All It's Cracked up to Be? by

Lois Kaye Senior Partner – Sales and Marketing