To start a job with a company that has only been open 6 months?

[Whatstepnext2]

Abit if background - I have been diagnosed with ADHD and realise that this is why I have struggled to work in an office. I currently work full time 5 days a week in an office. I'm actively looking for a remote or atleast hybrid role to improve my wellbeing and symptoms. My job is very stable.

I have an interview Monday for a company that sound really amazing but have only been open 6 months. The role is fully remote and doing what im doing now. It makes me nervous that they havent been open long and i might be taking a huge risk - what would you do?

All jobs are a risk, i think about 30% of start ups fail but, it will be good experience, you'll get the opportunity to do a lot of different roles and tasks whilst they work out company direction. But it can be a very chaotic experience. Things will change quickly.

I'm not sure how helpful I can be, as someone who set up a business, I didn't employ someone for the first couple of years. I wanted to be sure the company was in a strong enough position to secure their employment, it was terrifying thinking they were leaving another job to come and work for me.

However, a new business will always need some staff to allow it to simply function, without the staff it will fall flat as it won't have the scope to grow. It's a fine line.

Do what research you can, also, what happens if it does fall flat? How often do those jobs become available, can you do it freelance while looking for another employed position, do you have savings?

The early days of a new business are a risk, BUT, that doesn't mean it will go wrong, you could end up contributing to a very solid, productive business, which could look good on your CV.

Ask for shares in the company as part of the compensation package. You are taking a risk so look to share the rewards of your efforts in helping to grow the company.

Do your research on the owners, is there any evidence of previous businessess failing.
Ask about how they are funding the new role
I'd also ask about the business plan and strategy - what do they want in the first 12 months, 3 years for the company
See how your role directly impacts what they are trying to achieve

I've worked in scaling start ups for about 15 years, there is a good chance many things you take for granted in a larger company may not be in place, HR, Benefits, Policies but if it's a good start up, chances are you can play a great part in creating company culture. You mention your ADHD, could you potentially influence how things are done that are more inclusive.

I have worked in several startups and I love them, it gives a real opportunity. It can also be frustrating though as some of the processes may not be clearly defined and as the parent of an ADHD teen she would probably not like that, but you could be different
Remember, all companies in existence have been 6 months old at some point

This isn’t what you asked but are you sure WFH will help with your ADHD? I find working for home more difficult as I can procrastinate. I’m ADD but obviously we are different.

Hi Climbles, for me it will as I also suffer with mysphonia. The lady who I work in the office with is exceptionally loud particularly on the phone and I find it really hard to concentrate. She also eats constantly, mouth open and rustling packets and it drives me insane. When she is on holiday and it's just me, I'm much more productive and feel more focused. I really don't work well with distractions and need silence which is hard when working in an office.

Thanks all, I've checked companies house and it seems to be the directors first company. I will definitely ask all of those questions at the interview on Monday

Usually this type of organisation has to pay a little more & offer good benefits or a lot of flexibility to make up for the higher risk. Its up to you whether whats offered is enough to make it worth losing the security you have at the moment.

You need to look at the long term view especially if your current job is stable or if they offer you lots of benefits like pension, generous sick pay, etc.
I’m not saying it happens in all start ups but sometimes, you get more workload as you’re in charge of so many things where as at your current place of work, you work with someone.
My previous work colleague left my place of work just before covid for a start up because she wanted hybrid working and we didn’t have that then. The pay was good as well.
She loves working for the company and they offered all the flexibility they promised at the interview. Thing is that more than 2 years later post covid, my company now offers hybrid working which was the only reason why she left then however she just had a baby 3 months ago, she’s the first person to go on maternity leave in her company so up till she was 30 weeks pregnant, they didn’t finalise what her maternity benefits will be.
Now she’s on maternity leave and only got full pay for 6 weeks and the rest is SMP which is less than 1/4 of her monthly pay previously. For that reason, she wished she didn’t leave as she would have had 6 months full pay and 3 months half pay if she was at my company. Besides that, she likes the company and the whole family feel