In a world full of big brands and huge companies stuck in their ways, the start-up is the new greatest place for innovation. These fast growing companies blow up from time to time, and become Facebook, Uber, or even Windows or Apple- companies that were started with a dream and a core group of innovators, that are now major world players.
Why am I telling you this? Because I am going to tell you how to market yourself for a start-up. The exciting world of start-ups doesn’t play by the same rules as the rest of the economic world, so if you are going to excel you may have to change a couple of things around.
First off, you need to know if the start-ups you are looking into working for are viable. Most start-ups fail. The ones that succeed usually do very well, but most don’t. You don’t want to hitch yourself to one that was doomed from the start.
So, how do you tell if it is going to succeed? - You follow the money.
If the company just pulled in a slew of angel investors, it is a company you want in on. When looking for a job with a start-up, it is often better to be looking through tech blogs and finding out what companies are being funded, then it is to be looking for jobs directly. Start-ups that pull in capital are usually hiring. Find the money, you’ll find the job.
Networking is beyond crucial to working in the world of start-ups. Networking is not only what will get you a job, but it is also what will let you keep it. Almost everyone working for a start-up has grounds to add “and marketing” at the end of their job title. In order for a start-up to get going people need to hear about it, and this is why start-ups tend to hire candidates with good networking skills. Your ability to tell people about your company, get them excited, and make it grow is what will make the start-up succeed.
Working for a start-up will force you to broaden your horizons, so you want to make it clear to everyone that you are ready and willing to do that. Maybe you’re a programmer, always have been, and thought you always would be. You may find that you are more useful to the company doing client side IT support- even if that’s not your area of expertise. Keep yourself open and ready to roll with the punches, and make sure the world knows you can do that.
The last thing you should do is figure out what the part looks like, and dress it. If you are trying to work for a young, hip, Oakland start-up and you roll up in a full suit and tie, they’ll forget about you. Match the energy and the look. If they are selling fun, you have to be fun. Think of yourself as an extension of the company, and do your best to fit in.
A career in start-ups could be just the jolt you need to rocket to the top. Follow these steps and you may leave the normal working world behind!