The pros and cons of working for a startup

Let’s start with the downsides. First of all, working for a startup means a higher risk for you as an employee (compared to working for an established company). The startup you work for could easily fail – which would mean that you loose your job.

Another negative point is the fact that you might receive a relatively low salary working for a startup, since young companies usually have tight budgets. This limited budget also means, that you might not have the chance to work with the latest/best tools and gadgets (software / hardware) at your workspace.

Another disadvantage may be a comparably bad work-life-balance, as you often have to work harder and longer in a young and not yet established firm. Your daily work life also could become quite chaotic, since there is a natural lack of structure at most startups.

Last but not least, working for a tech startup means you are still employed by a company (although it’s a startup) and it’s not your own business.

But let’s look at the positive things now. I’m going to list them with bullet points, as there are so many:

• You get the chance to have „bigger“ responsibility right from the start. Young tech companies often have flat hierarchies and you’re able to get the whole picture instead of working in just one out of a many departments of a big company.

• Working  for a startup enables you to learn more (about business, company building…) in a shorter time – as startup environments are somehow like crash courses in business & life.

• You might get a little bit of equity in the company (or stock options). This motivates you in your daily work life and some day this might even lead to a big payday.

• You get the chance to be in the winning team which creates the „next big thing“. You are then part of a fast growing company which (at least in small ways) changes the world.

• After working for a startup, you get the chance to apply your knowledge to your own startup. This increases your chances of success.

• Working for a tech startup is (most of the times) more exciting than working for an established company. Many startups have a great mission/vision for their company and it’s much more thrilling to shoot for the moon than to manage the status quo at a big company.

Although startups are not for everyone, I think that if you take a closer look, the pros outweigh the cons – especially if you are a young graduate or workaholic. If you are eager to join a promising startup, make sure to check out our job board and apply now!

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