Article
Harvard Business Review

Are You Suited for a Start-up?

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Abstract

Relative to established organizations, start-ups can be hard to figure out. What are the jobs to be done? The best entry points? How can you tell whether a company has potential for success and is the right fit for you? The author advises that you first assess whether you’re suited for a young, entrepreneurial organization. Start-up joiners need to do three things well: manage uncertainty, push the limits, and think like an owner. He then outlines four steps for choosing the right company: Pick a domain (find a field you’re passionate about); pick a city (preferably in an entrepreneurial hub); pick a stage (“jungle,” “dirt road,” or “highway”); and pick a winner (do due diligence on the founding team, the market, and the business model). Once you’ve made those choices, you’ll need to sell yourself, and Bussgang suggests how: Identify key players at the companies you’re interested in and find ways to connect with them. When you meet, articulate how you can contribute; engage your interviewers about their work; and offer expertise, advice, or contacts with no expectation of reciprocity. Suddenly you’ll be perceived as someone who is already adding value.