Well, guys…it’s happened. After almost a year and a half at my first job post university- my boss called me into his office to inform me he was closing the business.

Honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Working for a start-up comes with certain risks and I was fortunately in a position where I could see the shifts happening in advance. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t already spruced up my resume on job platforms earlier in the same week.

In the end I was second to last to receive the news. As soon he finished the sentence my first thoughts were truly about my coworkers. The sales reps all have families, the specialist lives on his own and had definitely gotten used a used to a certain pay scale…meanwhile I’m still living at home.

This was my first time in a situation like this. Ideally, I would of started making moves at the first blatant red flag and maybe already have a job opportunity lined up which just isn’t the case this time around (20/20 hindsight, am I right?).

---

Now I don’t want to deter anyone from working at a start up because I really do think it’s worth it for a lot of reasons- especially when you’re fresh on the job scene.

After digging through the posts of my old (now deleted) blog, I found the original post I made about working at a start up:

Here’s my advice to anyone fresh into the job search process: don’t rule out start ups.

It’s crazy, I know. The whole start up idea seems to be synonymous with ‘entrepreneur’ and while yeah- there’s obviously an entrepreneur involved…that doesn’t mean it has to be you.

Let me explain. I don’t want to bore anyone with an analysis of the pros and cons of a startup versus an established company, so I’ll focus on what I’ve personally learned and experienced:

~No Bureaucracy.
~You’re new! You have loads of questions and with a general ‘open door policy’ you don’t ever really feel intimidated- even if you’re asking the BOSS BOSS.
~The systems are still being ironed out and since you’re working with them, you can give feedback or suggestions that will actually be taken into account.
~You wear a lot of hats and I mean, A LOT.

Like I said, the systems aren’t set in stone yet, so you’ll probably be taking on a lot which means you’re going to gain just as much experience. Sure- it might not have been the exact thing you went to university for, but it’ll definitely be a nice edge in your next interview.

I was always the type who wanted to work for a big name company or at least one that was fully established for some sense of security, but after being in a startup I’m really not that worried. I already get paid more than I ever have and get a 90 day review for a raise.

Now I know what you’re thinking: What if the company tanks or you get fired?!

Yep. That’s a possibility, but layoffs happen all the time nowadays in established companies and out of nowhere. Besides, if I do find myself back on the job market I’m confident in my newly earned credentials and it pays to be adaptable. So don’t rule it out guys!!!

---

Strangely, rereading something I wrote so long ago that directly relates to what I’m going through now is…kind of surreal. I mean, I even had the foresight to address if the company tanked!

I’m grateful for everything I learned at the company, all in all; and will be looking forward to what the next chapter brings.

(Plus my boss was kind enough to pay us for a full 40 hour week which means I’ll be getting one more full pay check!)