S1 #5 Engineer Tips
Are You An Engineer Considering Joining Early Stage Startups? Then, read THIS!
As the founder and CEO of 1st10 and as someone who has spent the last 20 years recruiting for silicon valley startups, I've had the privilege of engaging with numerous engineers who are contemplating the leap into early stage startups. It is, undoubtedly, exciting to be a part of a small, agile team BUT, believe me, it also comes with some unique challenges!
So I figured it would be a good idea to collaborate with Alexis and come up with 7 important tips to help engineers navigate this exciting yet uncertain terrain. I'd strongly recommend listening to the podcast to hear all seven but here's a sneak preview of some of them that you might find useful!
1. Align on Compensation
Early stage startups often offer a varied salary range, typically from the mid-100s to mid-200s. However, many engineers are motivated by the potential upside of equity rather than just the base salary.
Base Salary: Be prepared for a lower salary compared to established companies.
Equity: While early equity may seem insignificant now, remember, it can become pretty valuable as the company scales!
2. Assess Your Fit for Startup Culture
Working at an early stage startup often demands long hours and unwavering commitment. You must carefully consider:
Work-Life Balance: Because working at a startup comes with a challenging schedule that requires full investment in the mission.
Risk Tolerance: Because many startups fail and that means your equity might be... worthless!
Your Personality: Because startups can be pretty chaotic - something you WILL hate if prefer structured environments.
3. Evaluate The Founders and Team Dynamics
The experience and passion of both the founder and the team greatly influences the startup's trajectory. Therefore, you MUST do your research on the founder, their track-record, their domain expertise, etc. Also, think of the interview as a two-way mirror - use the opportunity to ask THEM questions! I recommend this HIGHLY because it not only helps you gauge fit but also shows your genuine interest.
Joining an early stage startup can be an exhilarating journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. The 7 tips that Alexis and I have outlined in this episode will help you make make an informed decision that aligns with your career aspirations.
It's not just the destination; the journey is equally important! Every single experience shapes you and your career both. So, take you time before you decide on walking this path.
And if you have already made that decision, you can find us on our website or just DM me on LinkedIn!
About Us:
1st10 was founded on the simple philosophy that there is nothing more important to the success of your startup than the first ten engineers you hire. Because the first ten will impact the next ten and any wrong misstep can be the difference between success and failure. 1st10 works with visionary founders and exceptional engineers to build world class engineering teams.
1st10 was founded by Boris Epstein, original founder of Binc, the firm best known for pioneering embedded recruiting in Silicon Valley. Binc built early teams for Pinterest, Ripple, Stripe, Square, Airbnb, Reddit, Tesla and many more. Binc was acquired by Robinhood in 2021.