Why work at a startup? 15 benefits for 2022

According to recent AngelList data, over 60% of employees are happy at startups. This is due to the unique benefits that startups provide, such as work environment flexibility and leadership opportunities. Even the tech talent industry transitioned its focus from large corporations to startups in 2021.

With all of the expansion that startups are experiencing as we enter the new year, many new professionals are considering working for a startup as their next career move. To fully understand why working for a startup is a great option, we've discussed some of the top benefits of working at one, plus how to find your dream startup job.

What is a startup?

A startup is a company during its early stages of development. Typically founded by one or two entrepreneurs, startups are born out of the desire to create a unique or innovative product or service.

Startups have a much smaller number of employees as well, with the average startup consisting of fewer than 50 full-time employees. Startups receive funding from a variety of sources, including family, friends, venture capitalists, crowdfunding, or even the entrepreneur’s own wallet.

15 Benefits of working at a startup

Since a startup is less developed than a large corporation, working for one can be overwhelming. In spite of this, there are many personal and professional benefits to working for a startup. Below are 15 benefits you can expect when working at a startup.

1. Accelerate your career

Given that startups are still in the early stages of development, you can expect the company to grow quickly. As a result, you'll see a significant advancement in your career.

When you work for a startup, you have more opportunities to advance inside the company than if you worked for a large corporation. If you decide to change jobs in the future, the title you have earned during your time at a startup will allow your resume to stand out to potential employers.

2. Gain responsibility

Because a startup has so few employees, your position will be extremely important to the success of the company. The company may not have anyone else who has your specific skills or experiences, so expect to have a lot of responsibilities very early on, like the chance to be the first point of contact for your clients or partners. Gaining such a vast amount of responsibility can be great for both professional and personal growth.

3. Plenty of learning opportunities

Because startups have a small employee base, you'll have plenty of opportunities to learn about the company and how it operates. While you will be hired for a specific skill set, you will be learning a lot about the position on the job. Another feature of working at a startup is gap filling, in which you will be expected to complete tasks that are similar to but not necessarily included in your position. For example, if you were hired as an editor, you might also be expected to do graphic design on your work as well.

4. Not tied to one job description

For a lot of people, doing the same tasks every day can become dull. However, working for a startup will keep you on your toes, as you aren’t tied to one job description.

During your time working for a startup, you will work on a variety of tasks, including some completely outside your range of skills. This is especially great if you’re a young professional still unsure of your current career path, as it gives you the freedom to discover which components of your position you prefer.

5. Flexible work environment

Startups are known for having a more relaxed office space than established businesses. With an informal dress code and flexible remote policies, startups give their employees the freedom to work in the best environment for their lifestyle. Many startups also provide additional perks such as snacks and meals, employee rest areas, or games and activities.

6. Show your creativity

A successful startup is built on the foundations of creativity and innovation. While meeting deadlines and completing goals is vital for any business, when working for a startup you will not be tied down by processes and procedures like you would be in a bigger company. This is because the founders of a startup are focused on preserving the ideas and perspectives of their employees in order to promote company progress. In a startup, you can expect to participate in brainstorming sessions, share your ideas, and frequently collaborate with coworkers.

7. Embrace trial and error mindset

Startups thrive on innovation. However, not every new idea is destined to be a success. Understanding when you've made a mistake and accepting feedback is essential in any job, but it is especially important when working for a startup, as your decisions can have a fundamental impact on the growth of the company and their actions moving forward. Feedback promotes not only healthy collaboration among coworkers, but also clear and comfortable communication. Furthermore, learning from your mistakes is the most effective way to improve your skills and advance as a professional.

8. Learn frugal solutions

Startups are often on a tight budget since they lack the same level of investment as bigger companies. But don't panic; this can lead to some creative workarounds and cost-saving solutions. You may even enjoy working on a tighter budget as it pushes you to be more imaginative with the resources you have. A reduced budget also allows you to see exactly where your money is best spent and where you can cut corners.

9. Hard work is noticed

Another advantage of working for a startup is that your performance is important not only to your position but also to the company's overall success. This paired with the finite number of employees means all of your hard work and effort will have a genuine chance to shine at a startup.

10. Build stronger relationships

Making connections with new coworkers can be stressful for anyone. However, one of the best aspects of working at a startup is that because you work in such a small group, building relationships is much easier than at a bigger company.

Because a startup has fewer employees, you will get the chance to actually get face time with the founders and work closely with the other members of the company. This closeness not only helps to maintain a positive work environment, but it also allows you to form strong bonds with your coworkers and other employees in the larger startup community. This will contribute to your sense of belonging and loyalty to the company.

11. Earn the trust of the founders

Internal trust is critical for most startups, whose founders rely on their employees to treat the company as if it were their own. You will not only earn the trust of your coworkers, which can lead to a more harmonious workplace, great communication among coworkers, and opportunities later in your career, but you will also demonstrate your dedication to the company by being a trustworthy employee. It can also help you build solid bonds with the people who make up the small team of a startup.

12. Stock options may be available

While working for a startup has many perks, the pay is not always one of them. Because startups have limited funds, many of them will offer equity as an incentive to join their team. While equity shouldn’t be a replacement for a fair salary, it has the potential to pay off in the future as the company grows.

13. More leadership opportunities

In contrast to bigger companies, climbing the corporate ladder can happen quickly at a startup. Because startups have fewer employees, there are more opportunities for you to demonstrate your abilities and advance through the ranks. And, while a higher title isn't everything, it can be used to help score your next position, along with your diverse skills.

14. Be part of a team

Working for a startup means knowing that your work, efforts, and ideas, as well as those of your coworkers, are directly contributing to the company's success. This means that as your company grows and achieves significant milestones, you can all feel a sense of ownership and pride. Furthermore, because everyone is working together to help the company grow, it fosters a team mentality.

15. Have a career that inspires you

Working for a startup can be one of the most inspiring experiences you can have in your career. Not only will you be helping a business grow from the beginning, but working for a startup gives you the opportunity to be a part of a product or service that meets a unique need. Working for a startup may even inspire you to create your own innovation and launch your own company.

How to find the right startup for you

Ultimately working for a startup can be extremely beneficial for your long-term career. With that said, working at a startup is not for everyone and there are many questions you should ask yourself before applying. If you're on the fence about working for a startup, follow these steps to find the best work environment for you.

Research the company

Thoroughly researching a startup is a great way to find out its history, long-term goals, and business practices. Researching the company can also provide you with specific information regarding the position and previous employee reviews. This information can be valuable when determining if a startup is a right fit for you. You can usually find information about the company on their website or job sites.

Be sure their values align with yours

According to Forbes, workplace synergy is at its best when your personal values align with the company's values — and nowhere is this more obvious than in a startup. Because startups are founded on the ideals of their founders, your ability to connect with their values will be critical to your ability to help the company grow. Aligning your values also makes developing and achieving your personal and professional goals easier.

Determine if the company's culture is right for you

While working for a startup can be a fun experience, they are not for everyone. Employees working for a startup often need to be more flexible and creative than those in a bigger company. Self-starters who know how to take charge work best in the startup environment. Many startups offer flexible working hours and the ability to work from home, so they are perfect for those who prefer a nontraditional schedule. Unlike corporate executives, a lot of startup owners may be less concerned with tracking hours as long as you meet your obligations.

There are several ways to find out if the startup you're interested in provides these types of benefits. You can contact both past and current employees to ask them about their experiences at the company and whether the information promoted by the company is accurate. You can also look through company review websites to see what other applicants have to say about the startup and its work environment.

Understand the time required

Working for a startup will require more of your time than working for a larger company. While employees are vital to every business, they are especially so for a startup. Since employees of a startup are helping to build the company from the ground up they will have to dedicate a substantially greater amount of their time to the company.

However, people are less likely to be motivated if they are overworked. So it's critical when working for a startup to set boundaries and promote a healthy work-life balance, whether through establishing mandatory breaks or providing employees workshops on stress relief. To get a clear picture of how much of your time will be required, don't be afraid to ask specific questions about breaks, vacation time, or mental health initiatives.

Apply

The best way to learn about a startup is to apply. This increases the likelihood that you’ll get some time to talk to the company’s leadership about the company and their expectations for the position. This can also help you determine if working for a startup is the right fit for you.

Many startups are hiring remotely for the new year as a result of COVID-19. Whether you’re looking to start a career in software engineering or resign from your current job to pursue a new industry, joining a startup is a great career move for anyone looking for a flexible work environment with a wealth of opportunity.

If you're interested in working for a startup now or in the future, check out the thousands of startup job opportunities available today.