To all engineers who are looking for new challenges and want to grow! Changing jobs to a startup is also an opportunity for engineers to try out new ideas, technology, and their own skills.
This article is packed with risks that engineers should be aware of before changing jobs to a startup, as well as tips to help make your career change a success. Grab your chance to shine in the startup world!
5 risks that engineers should be aware of before considering a career change to a startup
Before considering a career change to a startup, let's consider five risks that stand in the way of engineers.
1. Difficulty in technology selection
In particular, startups in the seed and early stages are a free and attractive environment where engineers can design systems as they wish. However, starting from scratch requires careful selection of technology. With so much freedom, you may end up selecting technologies that don't match your skills or the needs of the project, resulting in delays in project release. Be open about your progress and issues, and try to have a common understanding among members.
2. You may not be able to expect high salaries or benefits.
Startups are still growing and have limited funds. As a result, you may not be able to expect high salaries or benefits similar to those offered by major companies. It is important for engineers who are considering a job change or career change at a startup to focus on career development, such as whether the startup offers rewarding and growth opportunities.
3. Recruitment process is unclear
Since startups have limited resources, there may be a shortage of recruiters specializing in engineering. As a result, the recruitment process may not be clear and you may feel anxious. It is important to communicate well by taking the initiative to gather information and ask questions about the recruitment process.
4. Unable to adapt to the environment
Startups have their own culture and values. Find out whether you are a good fit for the environment. If the working environment is not suitable for you, your job satisfaction may decrease and stress at work may increase. Once you find a startup you're interested in, deepen your understanding of each company's culture through the company's website and media.
Furthermore, at startups, the ratio of engineers to other departments has a major impact on culture. If the ratio of engineers in a company is low, communication costs for making technical decisions and setting priorities tend to be high. Additionally, it may be difficult for other departments to understand technical issues and project progress. Therefore, when looking for a startup that interests you, be sure to ask about the ratio of engineers and how they communicate with other departments.
5. Skills don't match
Startups often require advanced skills and experience from engineers to bring new ideas to life. Before applying to a startup, re-evaluate your skill set and make sure you're a good fit for the skills they're looking for.
Also, you may be the first engineer at a startup. In such cases, in addition to your work as an engineer, you will also have to handle many other tasks such as recruiting and maintaining the company's infrastructure. It is important to communicate with the startup to find out if the position is suitable for you.
In an interview article with Haierloo that JP Startups previously covered, we learned about the issues in the engineering recruitment market from the perspective of the hiring company, the hired candidate, and the recruitment market as a whole. I can.
[Ask the management! ] What kind of engineers are required by startups?
Startups are looking for members who are flexible and can fill a variety of roles. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics and skills that startups want in engineers.
Characteristics and skills necessary for startup engineers
- problem solving ability
Startups face various challenges. Engineers need the ability to creatively and quickly find solutions to new problems. - communication ability
Effective communication with your team is essential in a startup. Engineers need to be able to explain technical ideas to other team members in an easy-to-understand manner. - Adaptability to risks
Startups often operate in high-risk situations, so engineers are required to have the ability to adapt to situations where they don't know what will happen at any time and to any changes. - self-learning ability
Startups are highly competitive and need to respond quickly to market demands. It is important for startup engineers to have the ability to quickly learn and implement new technologies and tools. - initiative
Startups require members who are willing to take action on their own initiative. Engineers are also required to propose new ideas and promote projects. - flexibility
At startups, engineers are required to have the flexibility to handle a variety of technical areas and projects, not just one role. - speed and efficiency
Startups need to be quick to adapt to market changes. Engineers must be able to move projects forward quickly and utilize resources efficiently.
Interviews with notable startup companies introduced by JP Startups include the following comments.
ACES Co., Ltd. Representative Director Koichiro Tamura
In addition to the ability to understand and implement algorithms, we believe that speed in hypothesis testing is important. Speed is especially important for engineers, who basically repeat the cycle of forming hypotheses, asking questions, and verifying each point.
Click here for an interview article with ACES, which develops business using AI algorithms.
LIFEHUB Co., Ltd. Representative Yuji Nakano
In terms of non-technical aspects, we are looking for people with similar values, a strong sense of challenge, and the ability to take on new challenges without hesitation. I also think it's important to be playful.
Click here for an interview article with LIFEHUB, which is developing next-generation chair-type mobility.
Naoto Yokoyama, CEO, FLYWHEEL Inc.
Although it is important to have a research perspective such as improving technical skills, even as an engineer, I place emphasis on how to provide value to the customer in front of me and how to produce business results. doing.
Click here for an interview article with Flywheel, which provides the data utilization platform "Conata."
MagicPod Co., Ltd. Representative Director Nozomi Ito
When multiple engineers work together to develop something, the quality may be lower than when it is done by a single genius, but in order to increase speed, it is necessary to involve a variety of people.
Click here for an interview article with MagicPod, which develops an AI test automation platform.
ACES Co., Ltd. Representative Director Koichiro Tamura
Although they are engineer-like, there are many people who are rational and able to push through with force when necessary, and are able to do their best to achieve their goals.
Click here for an interview article with ACES, which develops business using AI algorithms.
Latona Co., Ltd. CEO Kyoko Otawa
In a startup where growth speed is important, you cannot build a good team unless you absorb technical knowledge with the same speed and texture as existing members.
Click here for an interview article with Ratna, who provides the AI/IoT platform "AION".
[The manager will tell you! 】Environment where startup engineers work
Picked up from interviews with notable startup companies introduced by JP Startups! Startup answers the questions that people who are thinking about changing jobs to start-up engineers want to ask.
Q.What kind of engineers are there in your company?
MagicPod Co., Ltd. Representative Director Nozomi Ito
I think there are a lot of people who like to delve into the geeky side and investigate various things.
Click here for an interview article with MagicPod, which develops an AI test automation platform.
Naoto Yokoyama, CEO, FLYWHEEL Inc.
My impression is that there are many members who are committed to producing professional results.
Click here for an interview article with Flywheel, which provides the data utilization platform "Conata."
Ryo Tsuyuki, CEO, STANDS, inc.
The climate is calm and there are many people who understand diversity.
Click here for an interview article with STANDS, which provides UI/UX improvement SaaS "Onboarding."
Q. Please tell me about the environment and culture where engineers work.
Naoto Yokoyama, CEO, FLYWHEEL Inc.
We place great importance on creating an environment where engineers can thrive.
Click here for an interview article with Flywheel, which provides the data utilization platform “Conata”
Sherpa & Company Co., Ltd. Representative Atsushi Sugimoto
We want to create an organization full of diversity, so when hiring, we are conscious of hiring people with diverse values.
Click here for an interview article with Sherpa & Company, which provides the ESG information disclosure support cloud "SmartESG."
Ryo Tsuyuki, CEO, STANDS, inc.
I think one of the characteristics of the company is that it has a calm, psychologically safe culture that makes it easy to establish a development system that has its feet on the ground.
Click here for an interview article with STANDS, which provides UI/UX improvement SaaS "Onboarding."
ugo Co., Ltd. Representative Director and CEO Ken Matsui
If you are able to have constructive discussions and like this kind of culture, please apply.
Click here for an interview article with ugo, which develops a business DX robot that combines humans, robots, and AI.
In addition, feel free to ask questions about how many engineers there are in the company, the nationality and gender ratio, and the official language used in the company during casual interviews. This will give you clues about the startup's culture and communication style.
5 key points to help engineers successfully change jobs at startups
Points that engineers should consider
- technical skills
Make sure that the technical skills the startup is looking for match yours. - Startup mission and culture
Think about whether the startup's MVV (Mission, Vision, Values) and work style resonate with you. - Compatibility with team and members
At a startup, communication and cooperation with co-workers is important. Exchange opinions and ask questions with various members through casual interviews. - growth opportunity
It's also important to consider how many opportunities the startup offers to develop your skills and career. Think about what kind of engineering career you want to pursue in the future, and determine whether you can participate in the necessary projects and take on a responsible position. - startup risks
If a startup is successful, you may receive financial rewards such as a high salary or stock options, but sometimes the business does not go well. Also think about startup salaries and benefits.
The following comments can be found in the interviews with high-profile startups that JP Startups (Japasta) has introduced.
NearMe Co., Ltd. CEO Koichiro Takahara
I strongly feel the importance of cultural fit, and in the case of business personnel, how deeply do they identify with NearMe's mission and vision? For engineers, it is important that they have a deep empathy for the technology that Near Me works on.
Click here for an interview article with NearMe, which provides a shuttle service that utilizes its own AI.
Kosuke Kuzuoka, CEO, HireRoo Co., Ltd.
I think that there is a problem with recruiting candidates that they are not able to discern the company that they should go to. There are many companies that do not clearly communicate what kind of technology they are using and what they are doing, and the reality is that many engineers feel that they do not know which companies can realize what they want to do.
Click here for an interview article with Hiyaloo, which visualizes skills through an online coding test.
Summary｜What engineers should do when considering a career change to a startup
In order for engineers to successfully change jobs to startups, it is important to deepen their understanding of startups, accurately grasp their own aspirations and skills, and communicate them to startups. The first step to success is to face the risks that stand in your way one by one and find the startup that is right for you. Be sure to refer to other articles on JP Startups to help you successfully change jobs to a startup!
【Related article】
Must read! Five reasons why career change to a startup is unsuccessful and advice from entrepreneurs
“I changed my job to a startup and failed!” Challenges to an unknown world are accompanied by risks and anxieties. But before the challenge...
[11/17-11/23] Featured startup news/funding information
Introducing 5 risks and tips for success when changing jobs at a startup for engineers
I want to contribute to the happiness of all animals. What Kota Iwahashi, a biophile with an eye on IPO and global business, aims for
Kei Maejima of Antway is trying to solve ''inequality of opportunity'' with the data-driven delicatessen delivery business ''Tsukurioki.jp''
Over 500 entrepreneurs gathered! Venture Café Tokyo interview with Mr. Yamakawa about the history of ROCKET PITCH NIGHT and expectations for post-corona Japan
[11/17-11/23] Featured startup news/funding information
[11/10-11/16] Featured startup news/funding information
Introducing 5 risks and tips for success when changing jobs at a startup for engineers
I want to contribute to the happiness of all animals. What Kota Iwahashi, a biophile with an eye on IPO and global business, aims for
[11/2-11/9] Featured startup news/funding information
76 startups to watch! A list of must-see trending companies if you are considering a change in career
I want to contribute to the happiness of all animals. What Kota Iwahashi, a biophile with an eye on IPO and global business, aims for
Kei Maejima of Antway is trying to solve ''inequality of opportunity'' with the data-driven delicatessen delivery business ''Tsukurioki.jp''
Personal Experience of TERASS Founder Ryosuke Eguchi who is Tackling the Huge 45 Trillion Yen Market｜Reforming the Real Estate Workplace and Making Real Estate More Flexible
By Startup Stage: If You Don’t Use it, You Lose Out! 2023 Version of Tokyo’s Startup Support Guide