Are Startups Good Places To Work

The chaotic sea of job lists and work opportunities is always ebbing and flowing. New job listings appear every minute from all kinds of companies -- big and small, established and brand new, local and remote.

But you often hear job-seekers saying it is better to steer clear of taking up a position with startup companies. A lot of people feel they're just too risky. It's a valid point. But should you really be running in the other direction? You might be missing out on some incredible opportunities. The short answer is it depends.

The long answer? Let's find out.

What qualifies as a startup company?

It all begins with a group, or an individual with a bright, ground-breaking innovation. It could be anything from a new product or creative services. That group or person rally together and create their first product prototype.

They show the working prototype to the public to generate hype and interest, attracting investors. The primary objective is to secure funding through investors. Once they secure funding, the group can create a startup company, splitting profits amongst the group and the investors.

The startup company can plan for product delivery using investors' capital. Finally, they can procure raw materials, set up manufacturing procedures, purchase equipment and start recruiting the right talent.

Qualities of healthy startup companies

Naturally, startup companies come in different shapes and sizes. Each difference can alter the way they handle everything from product to human resources. Here are a few key factors you should look out for before signing up with a start-up company:

Financial scale

A startup company exists because of funding from individuals or investment groups. The bigger the initial funding, the bigger the dividends the startup must pay. This results in bigger expectations and usually more expenses.

If you can't meet investors' financial goals and sales targets they're looking for, they can pull out funding, leaving the startup company to crumble. That pressure can trickle down to every level of the company's structure. This could mean working long hours under immense pressure, dealing with problems efficiently and swiftly.

At the same time, this also means your hard work could add up to some pretty big rewards, especially if you're jumping in at the ground level.

Unique products or services

A startup's working environment can be influenced by how original and unique their products or services are. Working in a startup company, which is operating in a new, untapped market, opens up a lot of opportunities, experiences and challenges. It can naturally result in less burnout, a comfortable work-life balance and overall a nice working experience.

On the flip side, if your startup company is operating in a heavily saturated market, you'll likely feel more pressured to rise above and beyond to stay competitive. Sure, this might work for some. But there's definitely a price to pay, usually in the form of mental and physical health.

Track record

Creating a successful startup company is fiercely hard. And it takes a special person to cope with all the stress and pressure while trying to deliver a perfect product. But while many companies have failed, you can't take failure as proof that every startup is doomed to liquidation.

Every successful business was once a budding startup. Being a part of that origin story provides valuable experience for your career -- not to mention a killer addition to your resume. And remember that at a startup, your effort means so much more to your team's overall success than the corporate grind.

Advantages of working in startup companies

Fresh challenge

A startup company's methods, as brilliant and thoughtful as they might seem, haven't been tested by time. They'll encounter inefficiencies and make a bunch of mistakes. As they learn, their methods become more and more mature over time. But working for a startup means you get to be a part of those solutions. It's a perfect opportunity to prove you're capable of making important decisions that have a lasting impact.

Job flexibility

A lot of people feel out of place in their current role and want to change them. But shifting responsibilities or departments can be really difficult with an established company. Employees at a startup company would have a much easier time finding a place that's best suited for them. There's simply fewer people to go through, less paper to sign and you can start working right away.

There's also a lot more freedom and flexibility. You can try out new things, explore different options and see which results are the most efficient. You have the freedom to grow your position to suit your skill set, rather than the other way around.

Work dynamic

Startup companies don't start with a few thousand people right away. They usually start with a small, closely-knit team. Most employees already know each other going into it.

As a result, startup companies tend to be more like family. They work closely together, experiencing the same excitement and frustrations, which can create a valuable atmosphere that's more relaxed and enjoyable.

Studying your startup

Working in a startup company takes a leap of faith. If you do your homework on the company and its potential, then it can be an exciting opportunity. It's more important here than with any other job to ask the right questions during the interview process. This isn't just a 9 to 5 job. But if you work like no one else now, you can create something with your team that no one else has ever seen. Now that's a leap worth taking.