Working for an early-stage tech company involves a high degree of risk tolerance. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it can prove to be an exceptionally rewarding career move.
According to veteran consultant Shamayun Miah, “early-stage tech start-ups are best suited for passionate, driven and disciplined individuals.”
He contends that those looking to get a foot in the door need to understand the differences between the start-up arena and the general market.
Shamayun Miah says, “You need to have realistic expectations. Tech start-ups require a high level of resilience and I have seen many people get frustrated and burn out.”
He believes that aspirants must have the ability to adapt and find comfort in the chaos of change. This is because unlike traditional work environments, early-stage tech start-ups are evolving and transforming and need employees to be happy along that journey.
Shamayun Miah thinks that attitude plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s response to change. He explains, “a childlike curiosity and wonder will keep you motivated to learn and adapt rather than looking at change as a chore. This will reflect in the quality of your work and your relationship with your colleagues.”
Taking initiative is another crucial aspect for success in the start-up arena, contends Shamayun Miah. The industry has a burgeoning demand for self-starters who are willing to organize and lead professional events, suggest novel initiatives, or add to their skillset.
Most early-stage tech start-ups require an all-hands-on deck approach due to paucity of resources and this might translate into extra work and responsibilities.
Shamayun Miah elaborates, “a smaller team requires the ideal candidate to be able to wear many hats, it might mean going above and beyond more frequently than anticipated.”
He thinks that this provides excellent opportunities for the right candidate to expand their horizons in the professional sphere and have more of an impact than they would in the traditional corporate world.
Miah says, “the start-up arena is the most competitive aspect of the corporate world.” Ideal candidates should go the extra mile throughout their application process. It is important for candidates to set themselves apart to succeed.
He adds, “thorough research about the company’s culture is important, the better you know about what they do, how they do it, and what they’re looking for will go a long way in how well you perform in a multi-tiered interview process.”
Miah also thinks that having product knowledge can help distinguish successful candidates.
“If you’re not an active user of your target company’s product, I would recommend either using it or at least gaining a deep knowledge of it,” says Miah.
This will help aspirants display their creativity and problem-solving skills while providing feedback about their experience using the company’s products and services.
“Successful tech start-ups are all about proving the best value and it doesn’t hurt to start off right by providing value to your to-be employers from the get-go.”
