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Start-up vs Large Corporate – 5 Factors to Consider Before Leaving a Large Organisation for a Start-up

Start-up vs Large Corporate – 5 Factors to Consider Before Leaving a Large Organisation for a Start-up

by | Jul 13, 2015 | Career, Job Offers, Resignation, World of Work

Do you wish to work in a startup ? Are you secretly hating your current job but not ditching it because it pays you well ?  Do you want to continue with the multi-national that pays you more than you can spend, plus the other benefits they fold into packages to woo you, or to take a dive and join or start a start-up you’ve been dreaming of since forever. We understand that it is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together this post about the five factors we think you must consider before you take the Start-up vs Large Corporate job decision.

1. Money –

You may not make as much money as you did when you start out. Worst case, you may not make any money at all in the beginning if you are one of the founders or core investors. In that case you will have to wait and watch your start-up take off before you can start reaping what you have harvested. Working in a start-up also means you may not be entitled to any additional benefits before your company starts making some profit, which may take a while.

2. Responsibilities –

Your responsibilities are not going to be linear anymore, they are going to be diverse. You may have a specific profile, however, in a start-up, on various occasions, you would be required to multitask. In a typical situation with limited funding, the resources are scarce and the to-do list is huge. Therefore, expect to work harder than you thought you would.

3. Work Environment –

The work environment at a start-up is almost definitely going to be less formal than the work environment at an established corporation. Which will work great for you if you are an easy going person who loves going to work in shorts, and maybe even dreams of sipping on a beer while working? On the flip side, if you are extremely meticulous about your work environment, the easy-going-ness of it all may scare you a little. But believe us, if anything is going to be easy-going, it’s just the work environment because you will have so much work you will be glad for the slack the lack of stringent procedures cuts you. (slack and lack just rhymed 🙂 )

4. Work life Balance –

Working at a start-up means that work life balance will be off balance. You may get calls at unearthly hours to fix a bug, and vacations may be non-existent. Weekends may not exist either. So your work becomes your life and you may have little scope to have a life outside of your work.

5. Risks –

Risks and Start-ups are synonymous. There is a huge possibility that the idea underlying the start-up may not sell and therefore bring your career stint at a startup to a grinding halt. The experience can be chaotic and you may have to do a lot of thinking on your feet. If there is any certainty when it comes to working in a start-up, it is this – there is no certainty.

Our reason for writing this post is not to dissuade you from leaving a large corporation to join a start-up. It is simply to let you know what the bargain will be. Sure, it is no easy task to conceive and work towards establishing a startup. It requires a lot of grit, courage and dedication. While life at an MNC may be stable and lucrative, working in a startup is more likely to be an actual test for your skills, or the skills you thought you possessed. It is very important to take calculated career risks and we would say, go for it, if you believe in the idea of the start-up you want to join! Just think hard before you take the plunge!

How to Answer the Question – Why did you quit your job ?

How to Answer the Question – Why did you quit your job ?

by | Jul 13, 2015 | Interview, Job Offers, Resignation, World of Work

Unless the job you are interviewing for is your first one, it is a given that you are bound to be asked – Why did you quit your job? Those of us with some experience know very well how imminently complicated this question can get at times. Here are four such situations and our suggestions about how to deal with them.

Why did you quit your job – If the reason is your boss:

What you probably shouldn’t say is, “my boss was a/an *insert profanity*”. Or for that matter, anything that very obviously paints your previous boss in a bad light. Remember that it really is a small world and chances are you may be bitching about your ex-boss to one of your prospective employer’s best friends.

Also, “… for some reason most interviewers sympathize with your current boss, the psycho control freak, rather than sympathizing with you. You have to provide an answer to the question “Why do you want to leave your job?” that is mostly true but that leaves out the part about your bad experiences at your current job” says Liz Ryan, Contributor at Forbes.

Why did you quit your job – If you do not fit into the work culture anymore:

It is entirely possible for you to feel suddenly out-of-place in your work environment, where you may have so far been comfortable. A number of reasons may be the cause for this, the most common ones being dissent with your team/colleagues, replacement of your colleagues, or a general loss of interest in the kind of work the organization does.

For the above two cases, you could simply tell them that you are in search of a better work environment, and that you felt you weren’t quite in sync with it. Start with, “It’s a great place, however…” Let them know that while it was a decent place to work at, you felt you were not being able to give your 100% and hence are in the lookout for a ‘different’ work environment and culture. In discussing about what difference in work culture you seek, be careful to stick to diplomacy and not bluntly disgrace your previous work place.

Why did you quit your job – You deserve more money:

Well, who doesn’t? If your job pays you peanuts compared to the amount of work you put in, and you know you can do much better than that, you should definitely make the decision of switching jobs. However, when they ask you why you are changing jobs, try not hyperventilating about how much you worked but how little they paid you. Only when you manage to convince them of your skills and they really seem interested, start negotiating about the pay. When you have achieved that, you need not even tell them you quit because you weren’t paid enough and can get away by saying you are on the look-out for better opportunities. That way, they will not have a chance to contemplate whether you weren’t getting paid enough because you didn’t perform well enough.

Why did you quit your job – You have reached a point of stagnation at your current work place:

If you are changing your job because you feel there was no scope for growth in your previous workplace, you can say so honestly, however in a way which doesn’t sound very pompous. Be honest about the fact that the previous job did not make complete use of your skill sets and potential and that you are looking for something more challenging.

While we have listed just four situations, there are plenty of other reasons for quitting one’s job. To sum it up, in general, all we have to say is take care of two things:

  1. Do not sound desperate (even if you are) for the new job.
  2. Do not speak lowly of your previous boss/colleagues.

These are two ground rules while responding to the question about why you want to change your job. Play by these and you will be good to go!

What do you think? Please write to us/comment to share your difference in opinion or if you like what we wrote!

7 Things to Do on Your First Day at Work

7 Things to Do on Your First Day at Work

by | Feb 11, 2015 | Job Offers, Office Etiquette, World of Work

This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for and it has finally come your way. After all those weeks of grilling, from the process of perfecting your CV till the final interview, here you are, at your first day of work. The challenge now is to make your time in your new job worthwhile and live up to the expectations. While it is not necessary that the first impression is the last impression, the first impression does matter. You should always begin as you intend to go on. Or to put it simply, your first day at work pretty much sets pace for the time to follow. Here are a few pointers we have put together for you for your first day at work:

  1. A king sized breakfast:

    Make yourself your favorite breakfast. Nothing like pancakes with sausages on the side and fresh coffee to kick-start an awesome day! Eat a good, filling breakfast. We often underestimate the power of a good, happy, first meal of the day!

  2. On time, every time!

    Yes, if you’ve been following our posts, you would know how much stress we lay on the importance of being punctual. It is crucial to show up on time, in fact, before time, on your first day of work. Make sure you have checked and re-checked the address and know exactly how long it takes to get there, and what the best mode of transport is (keeping in mind the traffic at the given time).

  3. Confidence:

    Most people feel extremely pressurized to give it their best on their first day. Remember that you have the job because they like you. Don’t ruin your confidence by going overboard in trying to please everybody.

  4. What you wear matters :

    Give some thought to what you are going to wear for your first day at work and make sure your outfit is ready. It is best to go for a semi-formal pick, in case you are not sure about the dress code and don’t want to over or under-dress.

  5. But most importantly, wear a smile!

    You can get away with almost everything (including excess baggage while checking in) if you know how to smile and it comes naturally to you. If you are positive and cheerful, it comes through and is infectious. So remember to wear your smile the moment you step in!

  6. Remembering Names:

    It’s tough if you aren’t exactly “the socialite” but it’s important. Try extra hard to remember the names of the people you meet, not just your managers, even the cafeteria guys (remember they are your source for food, and extras!). It will take some time, but don’t let it take forever. Nothing more annoying than being asked one’s name over and over again by the same person. Being a fresher won’t help your case either!   

  7. Be your AWESOME self! 🙂

    Here is some recommended reading for you on Business Insider, for more tips on getting your first day right: http://www.businessinsider.in/19-Things-You-Should-Do-On-Your-First-Day-Of-Work/articleshow/31121232.cms

5 Things to Do Before Your First Day at Work

5 Things to Do Before Your First Day at Work

by | Feb 11, 2015 | Job Offers, Office Etiquette, World of Work

The first day of work is important. You are excited to start this new phase of your career and at the same time anxious to leave a good first impression. A little preparation can help you fight the anxiety and start your first day  with confidence. Here are some tips for the days before your first day at work:

  1. Documents:

    Have all the documents the HR might ask for verification in place. Your birth certificate, bona-fide certificates of past experience, id proof, et al. What would be even more efficient is to send the HR an email beforehand asking them what documents you would be required to produce on your first day. This way you will have a written record and will also be able to organize them well before time.

  2. Prepare well:

    You know what your profile is, which means you know what kind of work you would be expected to do. Research and read up about your role thoroughly.  Go through any material that the company might have sent you. Read up about the organization and its ethics as well, to familiarize yourself with them. This will ensure you settle down sooner than later!

  3. Prepare some Conversation Starters for yourself:

    It being your very first day at your new work place, having some conversation starters handy might prove useful. If you don’t really have the gift of the gab, you would be at the mercy of making awkward small talk. Think about questions you can ask to hold a conversation and answers you would have, to the usual questions of “what was your previous work like?”, “what are your hobbies”, etc.

  4. Get to know the dress code:

    Over-dressing, or being under-dressed can be disastrous for your confidence. You don’t want to be out-of-place on your first day. Talk to someone from your new workplace about the dress code. Get in touch with someone you might know in the organization or you can talk to the HR asking them about any guidelines or rules about what to wear or what do people usually wear. People will  be willing to help you on this. If talking to someone is not possible, just remember what people were wearing during your interview. If all else fails, formals are your safest bet. Prepare your clothes beforehand and be ready for the big day.

  5. Remember why you took the job in the first place:

    Here is something very nice we read on The Muse : “Before you go to bed the night before your first day, take a few minutes to remember why you accepted this new job. Maybe it’s your dream job, and you couldn’t be more excited to get going. Maybe it’s your first job, and you’re doing it for the experience. Whatever the motivation, write it down somewhere you’ll remember. Then, when things get overwhelming, everything isn’t what you expected it to be, or you feel like you’ll never make it up the steep learning curve ahead of you, you can return to that reason and remind yourself why you’re doing this.”

So remember that you are awesome and remember that you have to make most of the opportunity that has come your way. Shine on (you crazy diamond)! 🙂

Salary Negotiation Tips – Talking Numbers – Part II

Salary Negotiation Tips – Talking Numbers – Part II

by | Jan 5, 2015 | Interview, Job Offers

Continuing with the previous post about salary negotiation, we talk about bonuses, flexibility and the two super hit, tried and tested methods for negotiating your salary – the Noel Smith-Wenkle Salary Negotiation method and the Jack Chapman Salary Negotiation Method.

Regarding the Bonus

At times, a large chunk of our salaries are our bonuses. Different companies have different ways of paying bonuses to their employees. Terms and conditions being attached is not unusual. The employer might say that the bonus is discretionary. However, make sure you seek clarification about what the discretion is going to be based on – group performance, individual achievements or achieving targets? Also, some companies have a rule of revoking the bonus of a certain time period when you put down your papers (resign). Ensure you have complete knowledge about all these aspects.

Be Persistent Yet Flexible

Rarely would an employer accept the numbers you quote at the first go. If you know exactly what you are worth, be persistent. However, if the company does not wish to negotiate at all and this is the job you have been waiting for, be flexible and try making up for your in-hand salary through other incentives like extra leaves, travel or communication bills’ reimbursements, remote-working, better health insurance, etc.

The two most popular practices for salary negotiation are the Noel Smith-Wenkle Negotiation Method and the Jack-Chapman Salary Negotiation Method.

The most basic rule of the Smith-Wenkle method is to never tell the employer how much you are expecting. This is the first question the employer would ask you. Here are four steps which comprise the Smith-Wenkle Method:

  1. If the company asks for the expected salary on the job application you submit, leave it blank.
  2. When you reach the interview stage and the employer asks how much you are expecting, be diplomatic with a response to avoid it by telling them you are more interested in the type of work.
  3. When they ask you for a second time, saying “I will consider any reasonable offer” works as a stalling tactic.
  4. When they ask you yet again, telling them that they are in a position to gauge how much you deserve almost always works.

Thus, your motive when you employ this method is to never quote the salary first. This works nine out of ten times!

The other method is the Jack Chapman Salary Negotiation Method by career coach Jack Chapman who states five rules for negotiating your salary.

  1. Postpone salary negotiations until you have been offered the job: It can get embarrassing if you start talking numbers even before you have been offered the job. It is important to first secure the job offer before negotiating your salary!
  2. Let the other side make the first offer: Use the Smith Wenkle method to accomplish this. Also, here is a short video by Chapman to face awkward questions regarding salary history – http://salarynegotiations.com/Video.htm
  3. When you hear the offer, repeat the number – and then stop talking: Termed as “the flinch” by Chapman, the almost immediate effect of this tactic is a raise. It also helps you buy some time while pressurizing the employer.
  4. Counter the offer with a researched response: Like we have mentioned before, you should do your home-work regarding what salary you are expecting. Your counter response to their offer should be well researched and balanced.
  5. Clinch the deal some more: Once you have frozen on your salary offer, negotiate the additional perks like extra leaves, company transport, etc.

This is all that there is to negotiating your salary. Finally, we would say practicing a mock negotiation with a colleague, friend or relative is the final touch up for your preparation to negotiate your salary and you are good to go! All the very best! 🙂

Salary Negotiation Tips – Talking Numbers – Part II

Salary Negotiation Tips – Talking Numbers – Part I

by | Dec 29, 2014 | Interview, Job Offers

Now that you have cleared the initial interviews, what comes next? The next step, and perhaps the most crucial one is negotiating your salary. Here comes the step when you need to sell yourself in order for the employer to recognize your worth! Before you start talking numbers though, make sure you have established that you would indeed be a resourceful addition to the company. This way, negotiating your salary becomes easier. They would be willing to go the extra mile, to match your expectations and get you on-board.

  • Always ask for some time to consider

    If we get a job offer which we have been waiting for, for the longest time, saying “YES!” immediately can hardly be called an impulse. However, after the initial elated moment, breathe, and then ask for some time to consider the offer. This time that you ask for is when you do your homework about how much you think you should be offered as against what you have been offered. Do your math and get back to them.

  • Always let them quote the numbers first

    During salary negotiations, it is always best to let your prospective employers quote the numbers first. This spares you the mistake of quoting a salary too high or too low. Also, what one must be careful about is, this is the exact same trick the other side employs during the salary negotiation. Have an expectation in mind, but wait to respond.

  • Deciding a base salary:

    Use websites like salary.com, www.glassdoor.com, www.careerbliss.com, www.payscale.com, to help decide the appropriate base salary for the job position being offered to you. Ask colleagues or relatives who might have prior experience. The base you decide is crucial and that is what you would build on. Ensure a realistic and comfortable amount. Not too low, not sky-high.

  • Know your Strengths and Differentiators:

    This is what career coach Lisa Quast’s (contributor at Forbes.com), advice is -“What makes you special and unique from everyone else? Conduct a personal SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to understand your differentiators and the special skills or experiences that make you a more valuable employee. Ensure you have these differentiators written down, as this information can then be used as leverage to negotiate a higher starting salary with the hiring manager.”

  • Selling yourself:

    As clichéd as this may sound, we all know this is the age of survival of the one who is able to persuade the best. Once you have done your homework about how much you ought to be paid, convince your employer that you deserve it. Mention your accomplishments and work experience, highlight relevant achievements and gather credible references. Make yours a strong case.

Tune in for our next post which talks a little more about talking numbers and being on the top of the salary negotiation game! We have exactly what you want!