Before You Sign Up for a Startup, Read This

There are five questions you’ll need to ask yourself before applying for a startup. Check out this guide now to learn whether you’re ready to join the team.

Has the thought of working for a startup crossed your mind a time or two?

If you’re tired of the traditional corporate world with all its outdated systems and boring cubicle life, a brand new company with lofty goals and a team of hardworking idealists may sound more appealing.

But working at a startup isn’t all free snacks and ping pong tournaments.

To learn if you’d really be happy at one, today’s guide highlights five questions you’ll need to ask yourself before making the leap to startup life.

We’ll start with one question most people are surprised to encounter so early on…

#1: Can You Handle an Assignment During Your Interview Process?

To find top talent, many startups like giving candidates an assignment during their interview process.

This may be a task during the actual interview that’s as short as 10–15 minutes, or it could be one you’ll need to spend several hours or days to finish.

So ask yourself, are you willing to put in that much effort for a company before you’re hired?

If you’re not ready to invest the time to complete the assignment — especially since you probably won’t be paid for your time or final product — don’t even bother applying as you’ll be weeded out ASAP.

But if you’re willing to show off your skills, personality, and drive, you may be rewarded with a coveted position at a prominent and fast-growing startup.

To get hired and impress the hiring manager, pour your heart and soul into your assignment as if you were charging top dollar for your effort.

The more you impress the team early on, the faster you’ll be onboarded and part of the crew.

But just because you have a particular skill set and your interview assignment showed this off well doesn’t mean you’ll only be assigned to one role at your new startup.

#2: Can You Wear Multiple Hats?

The phrase “above or below my pay grade” doesn’t exist in startup culture.

So while you may have signed up to be a graphic designer, you may also be pulled to work on multiple projects using your other awesome skills like coding or writing.

If this is something you know will bother you, a startup may not be the right fit.

But for others with loads of knowledge to share, using these different abilities each day helps keep your job exciting and your skills sharp.

You may also find wearing multiple hats introduces you to aspects of the job you actually enjoy but never thought would be the case.

And it certainly makes the long days fly by, which also helps.

In addition to taking on several different roles at a startup, you also have to be comfortable with a constant state of flux.

#3: Can You Handle Constant Change?

If there’s one thing that’s constant at a startup, it’s that nothing is constant; change is inevitable.

For some people, change is scary.

But those working at a startup thrive in ever changing environments.

That’s how they’re able to grow so rapidly.

If they were stuck in old ways that once worked, they may never see the explosive growth they have planned on their whiteboards.

Processes, people, offices, and even your personal desk space may change from time to time — and often frequently without warning — so you’ll want to ask yourself if this is something you’re comfortable with.

For example, you may begin with a nice long desk to yourself, but then need to share a workspace with a coworker or two as the company grows later down the line.

Don’t want to deal with all this uncertainty?

Stick with a traditional company where you can start in one position and make your way up a defined corporate ladder without taking on more than you’re paid for.

But if you hate routine and don’t want to be stuck in your own personal version of Groundhog Day, a startup may be perfect for you.

With changing environments and people, you’ll constantly get thrown into new situations. And you won’t have to settle for outdated processes that aren’t working anymore.

Each day will bring a new set of challenges to keep you interested. So despite working at the same job, it may feel and look different each day, week, and year.

That’s how you’ll find fulfilment and satisfaction in your job for years to come.

But, unfortunately, your benefits are also likely to change over time just like your working environment.

#4: If the Perks Disappear, Will You?

When you’re applying for a startup, you may be initially drawn to the free food and quarterly trips out of the country, but how would you feel if those were to suddenly disappear?

Whether to cut costs, or due to a growing staff, these perks are usually the first on the chopping block for startups.

And that means as you consider one, you’ll need to think about how much these perks really mean to you.

Oftentimes smaller benefits (i.e., taco Tuesdays) get slashed to make room for bigger perks like profit sharing or 401k options, which makes the tradeoff worth it.

So as you look at job descriptions for startups, you’ll need to weigh the perks and consider how much they really factor into your decision about the position.

Then you’ll also need to figure out how likely it is that the company will be around long-term.

#5: From the Outside, How Viable is the Company?

Just because a startup is doing well the day you interview doesn’t mean they’ll be around in five or 10 years.

This is the harsh reality many startups face.

Knowing this, it’s up to you to decide whether the company you’re interested in is really worth investing in.

Do you believe in their products or services?

Do you agree with the founders and their principles for growth?

Do you see long-term value in them?

If not, you may be setting yourself up for a position that may not be around much longer.

This may be okay if you’re just dipping your toe in the startup pool for the first time, but it won’t help your growth long-term since you’ll have to start over again if the company does fizzle out.

To avoid that situation, try to assess the company’s viability as if you were an outsider. This could be from both an investor’s and customer’s perspective.

Is the company attractive to these important people?

If not, keep looking; there are plenty of viable startups in need of your talent. But if you find the right one, don’t wait another minute to get in on the ground floor.

So how do you find a startup that ticks all your boxes?

Find a Startup Worth Working For

Startups aren’t for everyone. But for those who thrive in uncertainty and work best without a defined role, they can be ideal.

With nearly constant change and perks that only get better as you find more success, each day will feel different and your rewards will mirror how much of your time and passion you invest with the company.

So to find a startup that’s right for you, check out this page next.

You can also learn more about whether a startup is really right for you by visiting this page too.