Ultimately, the answer lies in what you want.
Every startup is different, but most of them have these traits in common:
A great sense of personal achievement, coupled with unpredictable hours.
A very flat organisation where you get access to top management and everyone does what it takes to get the job done
High energy, passionate individuals in small teams with a focused common goal.
The reality of startup companies is that they aren’t for everyone. One person’s cons may be another person’s pros. But evaluating what you want out of a company and where you see your future, you can determine the right fit for you. Startups may fail, but there’s always the chance it will be a success. In either scenario, you will walk away with a rich experience that adds enormous value to your professional growth.
Here are some good questions to ask to assess whether the startup environment is a good fit for you:
What stage is the startup at? (early stage or seed round, beta prototype, Series A or B funding?)
How fast is the business growing? (Audience/customer size, employee size, valuation)
What is the size of the team? (That might give you a clue about work/life balance here)
How much flexibility do you have over your working hours?
How many years of experience do team members/my future manager have?
Are there any learning and educational opportunities provided by the company?
How are developers compensated? (Salary? Equity or stock options? Bonuses? Healthcare benefits)
Which speaks more to you at this stage in your life - professional growth or a fat paycheck?
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