| And here's what startupland won't tell you about startups: - Depending on how you roll the dice, you might end up working with (and more to the point: under) some amazingly cocky, pretentious people. The kind who get to call themselves "directors", "co-founders", etc, despite having never had a regular job of any sort after college. They just don't have a lot competence or perspective, period. And they know it, which makes them very thin-skinned -- and quite fearful. - A lot of the money sloshing around -- especially seed or angel money -- is based on either random connections (who got to pal with whom at college) or simply "old money" thinly disguised and re-routed. - And guess what: they might be quick to pal around or "bro-out" with you into the wee hours of the morning, but they aren't your friends. And being thin-skinned and fearful, they'll happily throw you under a bus if they're sufficiently triggered (or if they see an appropriate business rationale). - Even if none of the above drama happens: After we strip away the parties, the hip young co-workers, the fun office decor, etc, a lot of the actual work you'll be doing can be just as tedious / soul-draining as in any big corporate. Except that unlike with corporates, you won't be able to go home at 5 or 6, or to stop looking at your mail client at well, pretty much any time of the night or day. - And in the very best of cases (low drama; not a sweatshop; decent / interesting work) you'll still have to manage your salary+equity negotations very carefully; and be continually wary about exploding offers, non-compete agreements, stealth non-indemnification clauses, etc. |