6 Reasons to Choose a Job at a Startup over a Big Consultancy You need to consider (Before making a mistake)

If you think that two people with the same level of expertise performing the same activity always work under the same conditions… You are wrong.

I'd been working for a few years at the biggest consulting firm in my area. Small agencies were popping up everywhere, taking my colleagues away. I trained new people every 4 months to see them leave short afterward.

One of my collaborators explained what she was leaving for:

“I’ll do the same job you do but earn twice as much.”

While working at a big, established company means security and a good CV, small consultancies offer other benefits to attract talent.

These are the advantages they have:

1. Salary

"We work with better margins," a startup owner once told me. And that makes sense. Although they charge less than multinationals for the same services, they also have smaller machinery to maintain, giving them considerable margins for investing more in their people.

These companies don't need to invest much in buildings or back-office. So, it's easier to pay higher salaries.

2. Contribution

Our actions in big companies get lost in the bureaucracy. We know what our job is and how it benefits our teams. But it's tough to translate our actions into some way of contribution that feeds our souls. As a colleague used to say: "We are just numbers in here."

On the other hand, we feel we are important pieces at small companies. We relate to the people we help and clearly see our actions' impact, making our contribution more significant.

3. Growth Perspective

If the startup takes off, the early contributors will likely occupy a higher position.

This is not only related to the principle of reciprocity ("You helped me when I was small, I'll help you when I grow"), but also because in a small company the hierarchy is flatter.

They usually have simple structures where we can freely move, either laterally or by changing our roles in different projects.

As a plus, it's common to perform diverse kinds of activities, which gives us a better understanding of how the Business works.

4. Broad Learning

When selling a project, you find out how skilled you are (or how skilled you should pretend to be). Your boss tells you: "Whatever they ask you about your knowledge, you know it. We'll figure it out later."

Although that situation is uncomfortable, it makes us learn. And learn fast.

During my first year in a software factory that hired time & material programmers, the following situation happened:

A guru sent from a consultancy was hesitant. He didn't ask any questions but also didn't look confident. On his first day, he went out for lunch and never returned.

It didn't happen once, but twice. We got worried the first time. But we laughed the second one. Then we started to bet whether the new "experts" the consultancy would send would stay with us.

I don't support that strategy, but you will acquire extensive learning experience if you survive.

5. Networking

When you work at a big company, you will work on a single project for many years. This will allow you to make some strong connections and eventually be hired by the client.

However, small companies work differently. You attend to requirements and small projects for several clients. You get to know many people, and many people get to know you.

Those extra connections translate into multiple opportunities for your future.

6. Flexibility

Processes in small companies are more relaxed. So we can adapt our work to our needs better.

As one of the essential traits we should possess to succeed at a startup is a high level of independence and self-management, it is easier to balance our personal and professional lives. They trust us more.

This probably means that we will work more hours, but under our own administration.

Takeaway

There are plenty of benefits to working on a startup.

Some of them are immediate, and others are investments for the future.

Now, it's your turn to make the decision. Do you want to be part of a startup?