Being entrepreneurial without the risk (getting work in a startup)

Written by Nick in Saturday, March 15th 2008 under SMEs, Top Tips, Working in a Startup   

The enormous popularity of programmes such as The Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice has had a big effect on the public’s perception of entrepreneurship. Seeing seemingly ordinary people up there on the TV pitching, getting funding and building their businesses has, in the UK at least, sparked interest in a career that otherwise might have seemed inaccessible and frankly terrifying before. I have met many young people who have shown an interest in entrepreneurship, but either don’t have an idea they want to take forward, or simply do not feel they have the skills to launch a business at such an early stage of their career. Whilst there is a strong argument that actually the best way is to just leap into starting a venture with unbridled optimism and learn as you go (in the style of Richard Branson/Duncan Bannatyne/James Dyson), young people may be better prepared for succeeding in business by working in someone else’s startup first. Here’s a guide to getting work at a startup, making the most of that time, and avoiding the pitfalls of slipping into the ‘easy’ life of a 9 to 5.

A foot in the door

Working in a startup is, on the whole, a fantastic experience. No two days are the same, and everyone must chip in to get the company firing on all cylinders. As a student or school leaver, you are more likely to be given responsibility than if you were to work at a larger company, and you will be pushed probably beyond your capabilities. Now for some people this may not be in any way appealing, as it is tough, but there is no better way to get a grip on the reality of running a startup business than by piggybacking someone else’s venture. The risk to you is fairly minimal (apart from the lack of a job should the company go bust), yet the rewards can be great.

  • Contacts, and possibly mentoring from the startup’s founder
  • An income (albeit a stingy one)
  • Built up confidence - seeing that it can be done
  • Ideas - you may think of a spin-off business or see a gap in the market
  • Industry knowledge
  • Equity, if you really get on with your employer!
  • A fantastic entry on your CV if everything doesn’t go to plan - employers love entrepreneurial people

Building your Skillset

Working at a startup will push you, but the best way to learn is by doing. You may be responsible for a certain aspect of the business, but sometimes you will get involved in other areas. This is where you can make the most of the experience. An entrepreneur needs many skills to succeed, so the more you can learn, the better. Try and ask as many questions as possible, sound off ideas you may have about the way the business operates, the marketing strategy, the company’s customers - anything that you would think of if you ran that business. Obviously some business founders may not like you meddling too much with their business, but I guarantee you most appreciate the fresh outlook and ideas of young, ambitious types.


What you learn during your time working for someone else will stand you in good stead should you decide to set up your own business. More than anything, you will learn the confidence it takes to go out and do something, as you will not have the structured training and learning curve that a large firm provides. Most importantly, you can make mistakes without risking your own money. Whilst I’d advise against actively setting out to bring down a business from within, it is almost essential to screw up a few times to get an idea for what works and what doesn’t. As an uncle of mine used to say, “every good businessman has some scar tissue” - well now is your chance to get some cuts and bruises!

How to get work in a startup

Getting work in a startup is easier than most people will tell you, you just have to look in the right places and be patient. It becomes exponentially easier to get involved with a young business the more opportunities you take advantage of, so don’t be too picky with regards to what industry you work in - you’ll get a grip of the core skills of an entrepreneur in most startups, plus you may even discover a hidden passion for what you end up doing.

If you are at University, go to your careers service and as if they have any schemes to link you up with alumni who may have their own businesses, and check the job boards - local startups often post adverts for part-time jobs if they are looking for someone to come in and hep with the business. Just make sure you check frequently, and that the company advertising really is a young, growing business.

There are also several specialist websites springing up that put young businesses in touch with ambitious students - the recently launched studentgems.com and, my favorite, enternships.com offer some great possibilities for university students.

If you are not studying at University, online job boards such as Gumtree and Craig’s List frequently have job offers from young companies, but it is important to remain patient as they often receive hundreds of applications. It is worth approaching companies yourself that you hear about in your local area - try getting your foot in the door by offering to work part-time, for free - your commitment (and price tag!) will be attractive to a cash-strapped startup, and getting that first piece of work experience is crucial for your CV.

Working for a family or friend’s business is also a great way to get a bit of experience, just don’t screw up too often.

One final point to mention is that your learning experience starts with the interview. You have to get good at selling yourself, not just because getting work at a startup is often a competitive business, but also because as a young entrepreneur, your relative inexperience will need you to pull out all the stops when pitching to investors or potential clients. Take the interview as a chance to hone your pitching technique, and the product is yourself. Be concise, focus on your qualities that would be of use to a startup, liberally mention any other companies you have worked for, and make sure you ask lots of relevant questions.

Don’t get sucked in

Getting work in a startup is only half the battle, and the next struggle will be to make sure that you do not stay there indefinitely. You may be having the time of your life, but remember the reason you got work there in the first place was because you wanted to start your own business some day. It is important to keep this in mind at all times, as before you know it you’ll be working for someone else, and getting comfortable. Stay entrepreneurially active outside of work - go to networking events, set up an online business in your spare time to try out what you’re learning, write some mini business plans. A small business, with your help, can turn into a large corporation, and whilst it is satisfying to be a part of that growth, it poses the risk of delaying your own entrepreneurial aspirations by a few years at best.

If anyone has any other advice or resources for entrepreneurs in the making, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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