Should I go corporate or start-up?

Question

Hello! I recently accepted a role at a large company and my portfolio would service a few hundred customers. I start in a few weeks but have recently been contacted for a higher level role to lead a department but the organization is super tiny(less than a hundred customers). The higher level role will help me to fulfil my long term goals of getting to the c-suite but I’m scared to rescind my acceptance at this reputable company. Thoughts on how to approach?

Barb Hansen · Answer

Firstly (of course) - never rescind a job offer until the second job offer is in-hand. :)

I have worked in many startups and a few larger Fortune 2000 companies, and I love working in Startups (just in case some of my comments might be viewed as negative towards Startups)  Here are my observations from 20+ years in startup and about 5 years in Corporate America:

1. Job titles are not directly transferrable from a Startup to Corporate America
- I worked as a senior executive (sr. director to Sr. VP) in every startup that I worked in and when I switched to Corporate America (a large company with 10,000 employees worldwide), the highest role I could garner was a Sr. Manager.  Why?  size of company, size of my budget and the number of people I managed was factored in when I moved into the corporate world.  
Side note: I left corporate America about 5 years ago to work in a smaller tech company (and jumped to a Sr. Director role) and now I'm a CTO/co-founder of a funded startup.

2.  Many (if not most) Startups, don't have funds or time for formal training. 
- I became a better manager during my tenure in Corporate America because there was an incredible manager training track that I took advantage of.

3. There is (generally) a direct connection between your actions and company success at a Startup and your impact on the company (and it's bottom line) is usually transparent.

4.  You will learn so much at a startup. Your experience and your skill set will increase exponentially at a startup because there is just so much to do and a smaller number of employees means exposure to the work of the other teams.

5.  There can be a huge financial win with startups.  ESOPs and bonus structures can be (but not always) great at startups if the startup lives long enough for employees to benefit from the usual 4-year out for most employee stock option plans.

6. In a startup, you may feel like you are standing on shifting sands as procedures change quickly (if there are any procedures at all), product features changes and the company may pivot into a brand new product (that you may not believe in) Some of us can balance well on those shifting sands, and some can't.  Those that can't are not bad employees, they just do better with more stability under their feed, and that's fine.

Roma Mehta · Answer

There are a couple of things you should keep in mind while deciding: Company culture, day-to-day job and responsibilities, salary, co-workers, benefit, job stability, etc. Prioritise what's more important to you and choose accordingly. Also remember, never leave your current job unless you have another job offer.

Victoria Repice · Answer

Very insightful comments from everyone! At one time or another in our career path, we all encounter this fork in the road. The key question, in my experience, is what you value at this stage (both professionally & personally) - is it the title, compensation, people you work with, culture, security/stability & benefits, impact you make everyday, etc.

Or you can flip a coin, and when it is falling from the air, what you wish for is your gut instinct.

Anonymous · Answer

There is for sure positives and negatives to the larger corporations and startups! As already ^ mentioned the more developed companies can provide more stability/security and often have more structured career development programs! A positive to the start-up environment is there can be less hierarchy and bureaucratic barriers to promotions but just depends on the organization. One thing I personally really enjoyed about working in the start-up space was the getting to wear many hats and the ability to create things (ex: entire processes etc)! Like I said though, it really depends on the specific 2 companies you are looking at. I would recommend making a list of what matters to you most and seeing how each company aligns.

Hope this helps! :)

Cinzia Iacovelli · Answer

That's an interesting dilemma. What about the culture of both companies? What is your gut feeling? Which team do you like more?

Katrina Julia · Answer

Wonderful & Love it ! Def align to where your soul is calling in - & explain professionally if you decide to step away. Possibly give them an option to help them for x time or temporarily to help them fill & scale :) Lots of ways to make win win win

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for responding. There is something naturally fun and relaxed with everyone I’ve spoken to during the interview at the smaller company. And coming from a really toxic previous employer, I’m gravitating towards this.

Should I go corporate or start-up?

You're invited.

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