Corporate vs Startup: 3 Key Differences
Working for a particular organization is as essential as the role itself. It’s common to think of startups and corporations as stereotypes: startups are innovative and collaborative, whereas corporations are formal and hierarchical.
Considering startup vs corporate environment and structure is one of the most important things to consider when comparing the two. Both startups and established companies have pros and cons. It’s all about finding the right environment for you. Find out how startups differ from corporations in the following-
1. Job Descriptions
One of the most important differences between a career with a large corporation and a career with a startup company is the roles or responsibilities that come with a given position. When you are hired for a specific job in a corporate setting, you tend to stick to the tasks and responsibilities listed in the job description, which is usually a good thing. As a result of the well-established corporate structure, you will be focusing on set skills and tasks that are presented to you according to the position you have been assigned. However, if you’re working in a startup, you’re likely to find yourself taking on responsibilities that aren’t necessarily part of your job description due to the nature of your employer.
In startup companies, the employees tend to take on tasks that may cross into another department or field outside the one in which they are working, as these companies are often very new. It isn’t uncommon for startup company employees to work on projects far from their job title, while in corporate companies, it is pretty rare for employees to work on tasks that are out of their job title. Thus, you will likely tend toward working in either a corporate or a startup environment, based on your preference of flexible or rigid work environment.
2. Ideology
Just as roles and responsibilities vary within corporations and startups, the structures within these companies also differ dramatically. When there is a corporate structure, there is usually a clearly defined hierarchy and a more clearly defined division of roles and responsibilities within that company. Consequently, you may not be able to exert much influence on the decisions that are made as a result of this. Nonetheless, working at a startup company will generally give you more power over the final decision because employees at startups often balance multiple responsibilities.
3. Stability
It is also important to note that stability can vary between startups and corporations. Because corporations have been around for so long, they already have a system in place for operating the entire organization. Therefore, you can usually schedule your time off and have more regular hours. Because startups often work very irregular hours and are still establishing a structured and efficient system, it’s very likely that you’re going to work less predictable hours and have less time off.
The corporate culture and startup culture both have pros and cons, but one crucial difference is whether you prefer a rigid structure or a more flexible one. You can always contact professionals from both fields if you’re unsure which to choose.
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