Looking to step into the tech start up world but not sure what to expect? Here are 4 of the absolute best tips on what to expect when joining a tech start up.
Looking to step into the tech start up world but not sure what to expect? Here are 4 of the absolute best tips on what to expect when joining a tech start up.
1. Wear Many Hats
Working at a tech start up can be both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time.
When I stepped my foot into the technology industry, I had no idea what to expect joining one of Australia’s top health tech start ups. While I found myself settling into my assigned role, I also found myself putting on many hats taking on various roles at the same time.
I learned that start-ups are always about rapid growth, challenging the norm, innovating every minute and pushing you to get out of your comfort zone. They are constantly embracing new ideas, adopting new technologies, and constant change.
Personally from my experience, not one day was ever the same, every day ebbed and flows with urgent tasks, quick turnarounds and being able to adapt to the smallest to biggest of changes.
What does this all mean?
It means you may need to get used to embracing challenging moments and constantly learn on the go.
In itself, that is a wonderful thing! Because if you’re not learning or continuously growing at your role or job, then that is a sign to move on.
Due to the intrinsic environment of start ups I was encouraged to wear many hats and contribute where necessary despite my role. This did take some time getting used to, not going to lie.
Consequently, this allowed me to learn about the many functions in the company, work with multiple teams and diversify my work and add value where I can.
My daily consisted of not wearing one specific hat but wearing many hats and juggling many plates at the same time.
If you find yourself thriving off this sort of work environment, wearing many hats will eventually be a lifestyle.
2. Asking Smart Questions
Working at a tech-start up, I have probably asked more strategic questions than I could have imagined.
Depending on your role in your team, everyone in the company has something valuable to offer. While you may or not be a particular expert in your company’s service or product, there is always something out there that is worth asking.
We may have heard the ubiquitous phrase that was constantly reiterated during school growing up, “there’s no such thing as stupid question”. But that too has transformed to this day.
It’s not a matter of asking all the obvious questions just for the sake of asking. Rather I encourage you to ask smart questions that can benefit you, how it can serve and help you for the better.
Asking questions also fosters building strong relationships with your team as it opens an opportunity for you to share ideas, learn from one another and making work fun while working towards a common goal.
As Michael Jordan stated:
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
Regardless of your role, asking questions will enhance your performance and knowledge of your working and personal morale.
If you’re a career changer and new to the whole technology environment altogether, here are my suggestions I find particularly useful and worth asking:
- Question about the workflow and strategy behind decisions at your organization.
- What are some ways you can grow in your new role?
- What is the flexibility of roles, and ways you can better contribute to your team and company?
- What are the sales techniques used by the Customer Success, Sales, and Product team?
- What the daily life of each team looks like.
The world is your oyster here. Take advantage of it.
3. Be Like Water
We live in an age confronted by digital transformation and technological advancement. While things seem to be moving at the speed of light, there is one constant that has gone without saying.
Change is the constant and forefront of the technological era. Leading us to adapt to change.
If I were to choose an element, I would be water. H20 to go! 💧
As new tech start ups are young and open to trying new things, things can often be changing at a faster rate than normal.
It is important to get comfortable with being uncomfortable
To survive the game, you have to be fluid and adaptable to the constant change that is happening in this millennial era.
Science has also backed this. In the theory of adaption in biology, Charles Darwin proposed that the species that survive the longest is not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent, but it is the one that is most adaptable to change.
I encourage you to be forward with change, open with the change, and make a mental note that you will be mentally and emotionally challenged every day.
My advice? Normalizing this thought will make all the waves coming your way, easy and tasty like cake.
4. Taking Ownership Of Your Actions
My natural sense of working lifestyle comprises of an equal balance between strong collaboration within a driven team, but also appreciating the beauty of working autonomously.
The tech start up is big on embracing autonomy and being a ‘self-starter.’ If you are willing to work at a tech start-up, be sure to assess your own risk.
Take responsibility for the tasks you carry out, take ownership of the initiatives, and mistakes you make. In fact, this applies to all work places and things in life.
What is most significant is the character to take ownership of your actions.
My important lesson I would like to pass on is, what would you do next and how can you do better.
Own your story, your role and always back yourself up in your decisions. Because taking ownership of your actions is much better than flaking off and not owning up to things.
Demonstration of character and values is highly appreciated.
I hope this helps you along your tech start up journey. Have worked in the start up world before and do you relate to any of these?
What is your biggest learning?
Would you want to work at another start up?
What is your perspective of a tech start up?
