Startups vs. Corporations: Which Is the Better Fit for You?

It seems like every week, there’s a new startup with a mission to revolutionize the way we eat ice cream or make everyday tasks a little easier. Working with these young companies is a different experience when compared with working for a company like IBM or Nike, which have been around for quite some time and have an established presence in their respective markets. Understanding how they differ is the first step in figuring out where you would be a better fit.

Different Pace

Startups are far more unpredictable, but one thing you can almost always depend on is that a startup will be moving at a quicker pace. There are routines that have yet to be established, and everyone is still working out the kinks in their respective departments.

There is a constant ebb and flow of tasks and information that stand in stark contrast to the tried-and-true methods typically found in an established corporation. This can be exciting for anyone looking to challenge one’s ability to think on their feet, but there is a dark side: the current of the startup can come to a screeching halt at any moment.

Especially in young startups, where most, if not all, funding comes from investors, the risk is of getting laid off is higher. This is a dangerous gamble to make sometimes, but it can pay off being part of the founding team.

Different Culture

Having strong social skills in the startup business is key to success. Regular meetings with investors, business partners, and potential team members require a social sharpness and ability to relate with all kinds of people.

Aside from being a social butterfly, it’s important to not only initiate, but also follow through with the projects necessary to the startup’s success. This also means that when coming onboard with a startup, it’s easy to know who you’ll be working with.

Startup staffs are typically much smaller with much more communication between all the different sectors, so chances are a potential hire will meet the founder, head of purchasing, and head of sales all in the same interview.

Usually, there isn’t a “hiring manager” in startups because when it comes to building the strongest foundation with the best-fit employees, there will be multiple decision-makers involved in the hiring process, oftentimes with other responsibilities as well.

In a more established company, it may be harder to find out who is in each department, and most companies don’t assign new hires to their department until the job offer is made and accepted. So, there is indeed a stark contrast between the kinds of culture you might be confronted with: the close-quarters, high socializing environment of the startup, or the more spread out, “blind date” vibe of working in a bigger company.

Different Application Process

There are a lot of problems with the traditional application process such as the hassle of filling out an application with the same information inside your resume, the same resume that took three days to update and polish.

With the rise of the computer, it seems that this process has multiplied, adding the completion of the online application as well. In larger companies, expect to submit a resume and fill out two applications (paper and online).

These corporations are likely to still be making the transition from paper to digital applications, and thus, stuck in this limbo of requiring them all. Before long, they’ll catch up to the updated (and sometimes unusual) hiring processes found in startups.

ThisWay Global understands the differences between a startup and an established corporation, and wants to help you understand them too. Our passports create a more complete image of what it means to work for a company, no matter what size.This information helps you find the fulfilling career you deserve, and staffs startups and corporations alike with the kind of people that will propel them forward.

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Startups Vs. Corporations: Which Is The Better Fit For You?
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Working with a startup is a different experience when compared with working for a corporation. Learn how they differ to know where you would be a better fit
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ThisWay Global
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