Are you startup material?

More often than not, professionals are looking to just shed off their dull corporate jobs and crave a fast-paced environment to work in. If not that, they want to make a real difference, solve problems, work in a close knit team and get out of the world of cubicles.

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If you are one of them, a startup is just the place for you.

You don’t only need to have the drive, but also need to have utmost compassion and patience combined with creativity, innovation and a curious mind which always either is looking for answers in the outside world, or for ideas inside their own brains.

But wanting to work in a startup and being culturally tuned to work in one are two entirely different things. Ask yourself the following questions and figure out if you are the right person to be working in a startup.

Are you quick enough?

‘Startup’ can be synonymous with ‘fast-paced’ on all levels. Startup employees are quick and dexterous when it comes to learning, adapting, problem solving and getting things done. You need to understand your work patterns and analyse if you are fit to be working along the same lines.

Do you have a diverse skill set?

When it comes to startup employees, it is just that they all do everything. Be it marketing, sales, management, operations and finance. You can be handed any responsibility for any month of the year, and you should be able to get the job done.

Are you willing to give it your all?

Startups demand time and energy in larger quantities than you have. You might be have to even sacrifice a part of your social life for it. All in all, you need to not only give it your time, your energy through the day – it is your brain which is always going to be pre-occupied with the workings of the company.

Can you deal with pressure?

Here is a little problem with startups – your regular responsibilities can sometimes become taxing. You might be responsible for an entire department. This means that you are going to be under constant pressure to deliver and perform. Are you comfortable with that?

Can you undertake the risk with your career?

Everyone at some point or the other is going to be taking risks with their career. With the current failure rates of startups, it is possible that the startup you choose to work will shut shop. That is a risk which you need to be prepared to take – financially and mentally. If you are, then nothing like it.

You might be paid peanuts for working like a superhuman. Is that alright?

Well, yes. That is the harsh reality of startups. You need to be working like a maniac to be paid really less. If you worked that much in a big corporation, you could making much more money. But it is all about compassion here. You will be expected to be a super-hero everyday with very little monetary incentive.

If you answers to all these questions is a screaming YES! Then you are startup material. Go and chase your dreams!

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory)