Hiring for startups can never be defined. In fact, it’s easy to put a definite order and structure to the growth path of a team member in established firms that follow the traditional hierarchies. The simplest way to draw the differences between a startup and a firm that is established is the growth path.
Sample this:
You are a student and your exams have just got over. It is the holiday season but you have wasted too many vacations doing nothing. You’re looking for a job but your “dream company” doesn’t have a role for you.
On the other hand, an up-and-coming company is ransacking platforms like LinkedIn, Angel List, and Internshala to get the right intern on board. Would you choose to work in a company that you haven’t heard of?
What does it feel like working in a startup?
- Startups will reward you with quick promotions even before the appraisal cycle
- The transition your job responsibilities within a short time to adapt to changing work environments
- You’re generally expected to do more than just your job title. If you can perform multiple roles in a highly demanding environment, you will see yourself learning skills on the job in double quick time
- The work hours may be erratic, but they’re flexible unlike conventional organizations
- Startups value your education. They want to know what you have learned. They see you from closer quarters — they know your strengths and the areas where you’re still a work in progress. They notice things about you that you maybe never even knew about yourself
- They like the enthusiasm that youngsters have. All they ask from you is faith in their project
- They may or may not offer you a stipend. But what they can offer is a rapid growth path to your career, provided you’re fully committed to the cause. Your growth in the venture can be faster than you anticipate
Why have startups started chasing young talent instead of experienced workers?
Experienced professionals are often wary to accept a startup challenge. They generally grow accustomed to getting a stable income, working in a better office, and are resistant to change.
- Startups are hungry for new talent. Your education background is what matters to them. The ability to have proven yourself as an organization is secondary for them.
Any organization, whether big or small, looks forward to building teams with a blend of freshers and people with reasonable work experience.
Earlier, the general case was for startup recruiters to prefer experienced candidates over freshers. This has gradually changed.
- Studies at successful startups demonstrate how freshers straight out of college comprise 55% of the teams while people boasting of five or more years of experience just form 15% of the total workforce in startups.
It’s clear from these studies that start-ups are increasingly investing in freshers. Startup founders appreciate the fact that fresh employees don’t have astronomically high salary expectations. To be honest, this becomes one of the most important factors for a startup to consider.
Fresh energy at work rubs off on seniors
The work environment at any startup is extremely dynamic, action-oriented and productive.
- It comprises a group of founders who are trying out different things to create an offering and see its effect on the market. There’s no certainty on how things will flow or the revenues that will be generated.
In this case, the energy of a young, fresh graduate is what the seniors in the organization really look forward to. Candidates just out of college are always excited to figure out how their learning can be implemented in a practical sense.
- They go about their jobs with great passion and are determined to fulfill their roles to the best of their ability. This energy can often rub off on the senior people.
Freshers are ready to learn
Freshers are always willing to learn. For startups, this can be good since everyone else too are more or less finding their way without a set template in place.
The hierarchies aren’t particularly apparent in a startup which works in the favor of freshers. Founders and the key brains behind the startup idea are more approachable.
At the right startup, a fresher has innumerable growth opportunities. If a fresher is inducted well and they take to the job, rest assured that they are in your company for the long haul.
Startups call for teams adopting varied roles. Freshers are so much more likely to experiment with a variety of roles as compared to someone with work experience, who have figured out their best capabilities.
- The more fresh graduates involve themselves in the organization, the more value they add to the organization, the greater they can learn and take back from them.
Are you a fresher too? 1702 Digital is looking out for you. Attend college and we’ll have a role for you while you complete your studies.
Courtesy: India Today
