As startup recruiters, there’s one thing we know: tech startups intrigue candidates. There’s an intangible energy about startups. The untapped potential for growth; the lure of working towards a mutual purpose or mission that often contrasts so strongly with corporate alternatives.   

Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a work-life balance reset. Interest in working for tech startups has surged, with candidates actively looking to leave corporate life in big tech businesses.  

But with this surge comes misconceptions. Lots of them. 

Fuelled by popular media (look at #StartUpLife on TikTok for a real eye-opener), you could be forgiven for thinking that working in a UK tech startup is a bit of a utopia. Free sushi, Friday beers, beanbags, techies in hoodies. Even sleeping pods! 

But a real startup comprises so much more than a sleek office and quirky employee perks. And whilst most startup founders would happily serve up a smorgasbord of tantalising employee benefits if it meant securing the top talent in the UK tech market, the reality is often quite different.  

So is the grass really greener on the other (startup) side? If you’re thinking about making a move to a startup, this is what you need to know first.  

Fast-paced, agile culture 

Small in stature and with their roots firmly planted in innovation and entrepreneurship, startups are characterised by their fast-paced, agile culture.  

A lack of hierarchy is a major differential in a tech startup. In fact, most early-stage tech startup employees have a direct connection to the founder and CEO, a characteristic that is equally unfathomable and unpractical in a much larger, corporate organisation.  

But it is this size and approach that enables tech startups to pivot and rapidly adapt their model or service in response to market changes or feedback. This means that your work in a tech startup will have real momentum. It’s high octane. Some people find this stressful, whilst other candidates are exhilarated by the prospect of an agile environment, where both change and (often) a degree of uncertainty is a given. Where you sit on this spectrum should give you a very strong indication of whether life in a UK startup is really for you.  

Job title fixation? 

Is a fancy job title important to you? When joining a startup, you need to be realistic. A CTO in a big tech or corporate business is just that. A CTO. But if you’re the first tech hire in a UK startup, you’re more likely to be employed as the lead developer, even if you’re called Chief Technology Officer. That doesn’t mean to say that you can’t progress into the true CTO position, but at the point you join the business that’s unlikely to be the case. 

This is because tech startups typically need generalists with an all-hands attitude and the ability to carry out a broad range of tasks. As a rule, specialists are only brought in once the company moves from startup to scaleup. 

The reality for most startup hires is that job titles don’t always mean that much, primarily because there will be times in which you’re filling various roles at once. How do you feel about the prospect of fluidity in your role? Are you comfortable dealing with ambiguity and change? If job title is important to you, then perhaps a corporate role with a clear line of progression is more suitable. 

Attitude is key 

Far from being routinely monotonous, joining a startup means adopting an out-of-the-box mentality. Startup life is characterised by high pressure. You need to be curious, capable of working through ambiguity. Successful startups thrive on the principal of working and playing hard simultaneously. 

Self-starters are prized. You should be a natural problem solver; always looking for practical out-of-the-box solutions with limited resources. A healthy appetite for continuous learning and development is a pre-requisite.  

You might find working in a tech startup is more flexible, more laid-back, more informal. But the reality is that startup hours can be long and hard. A lack of structure means that a standard 9-5 is most certainly not the norm, and you may find your weekends and evenings regularly blurring with the traditional working day.  

Building something from scratch and bringing a product or service to market means putting in the hours. Often a lot of hours. So, before you roll up your sleeves and make that leap, you need to be clear about what is driving you and whether your personal values align with the culture, values and vision of the tech startup you’re joining. 

Cash is king – or not? 

So, does this translate to higher salaries? Sadly not. In fact, one of the greatest challenges facing startup founders is how to scale with limited resources – and that often means that salaries in tech startups won’t match up to those you find in big tech businesses.  

But the reality is that most candidates we secure jobs for don’t join a tech startup for the money. That’s not to say that money isn’t a motivator for them – it is, of course (we all have bills to pay). But often it isn’t the primary motivator. Rather they judge the risk versus reward and believe that personal and professional growth can still be achieved in a fledging startup, and particularly so when they believe in and support what the business is looking to achieve.  

Many startups offer employees equity options as part of their compensation package, maybe through an EMI scheme, which will benefit you if the business is a success. There is also the opportunity for rapid progression as the business grows and you develop with it, as well as a host of intangible and non-monetary benefits (for example, a focus on learning and development, a wellbeing budget, remote working etc.), all of which counterbalance any reduction in renumeration when comparing a UK tech startup versus a corporate or big tech business.  

A tolerance towards risk 

We’re often asked whether there’s a risk in working for a tech startup. Yes, of course there is. We’d be lying if we said otherwise. Is the risk significant? It depends on various factors, but startup life certainly doesn’t offer the perceived security blanket of an established big tech business. Although recent times and headlines of layoffs have shown that risk exists across the market. 

But the uncertainty of working in a startup environment is counterbalanced by the passion, drive and internal belief in the mission or purpose of the business.  

There’s a lot you can learn in a startup. You’ll be working in a progressive environment, one that encourages creativity and individualism, with people that aren’t there solely to collect a salary, but who chose to take a risk for something they believe in. You won’t just be a cog in a (much larger) wheel; rather you’ll be instrumental in something that has the potential to be much greater, much more successful. It’s a unique environment and one that the right person can thrive in. 

Get in touch 

Here’s a reality check: working in a UK tech startup isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for personal growth and the opportunity to be part of something at an early stage, then joining a dynamic startup – one that is fast-evolving, which values initiative and aligns with your personal values – is (in our opinion) an incredible place to start. 

Our specialist startup recruiters can help you secure the next role in a UK tech startup. If you would like to have a chat about your options, or you’d like to speak to someone who understands startup culture in UK tech firms, get in touch with our Co-founder & CEO, Alan Furley, on alan@isltalent.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.