December 26, 2010
Sustaining a Job at a Startup Business
We have been seeing that a majority of Urban Intern’s opportunies are springing from startup businesses – these are companies that we view as newand still in high-growth mode. They may be trailblazers, or they might be piggy-backing on a good idea – either way, these jobs can be funfilled but risky. While you may end up at the next Google, you can also end up at the next Kozmo. (If you don’t recollect that example,dont worry about it – we are showing our age.) If you want to be an entrprenueur in the future, hear me. It makes sense that there has been an increase in hiring by startup businesses:
Wrote Thomas Friedman with fluency in this weeks NYTimes, business owners are progressively utilizing “all the resources of the world teleconference, e-mail, the Net and facsimiles to access the greatest knowlege and cheap, best manufacturing anywhere.”
* As have written before, the economy is showing signs of hope – consumer sentiment, retail demand, and manufacturing production are all up. Startups are risk-takers, and they are anxious to be first in front of the consumer when they start spending again.
* Put yourself in the new business owner’s shoes. If you were in high growth mode, potentially working at a near-term loss in order to develop your business, what traits would you be looking for in a new employee? In All Probability one who’s super responsive, competitive, and concise. Keep the fact that you are working with a inteviewer with particular characteristics – an business owner – in mind when you are putting in an application. And, keep in mind that although you may be going for a seasonal or temporary position, this role may be as critical to the business as a regular opportunity – and has high potential tobecome a regular opportunity if and when they take off.
* Be prepared for non-traditional hours. Startup companies work 24/7. That may or may not be the position you’re applying for, and you should find that out before you begin so that if it’s not your cup of tea, you know it is not the perfect fit for you. But if you do choose to go for it, understand that visionaries can become inspired at 3 in the morning, and those emails may be sent to you. Make certain you and your employer have a shared understanding of what hours you’re required to work, so there are not future disagreements.
* Express involvement in business ownership. Owners of startups love to employ individuals who are looking to gain startup experience. Even So, that’s the operative word: experience.
*Know the company inside and out. Doing your research prior to applying – by doing product research / service, maybe even trying it out, and checking out its competitors – will be impressive to the startup founder because these issues are what s/he lives and breathes every day. Having a couple of suggestions (even if s/he disagrees) will undoubtedly be prized.
Filed at 7:27 am under Commerce Marketing, Counseling, Your Business
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