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Expert Column: To Dot com or Not to Dot com is Only Part of the Question By David Troll, Vault.com's Internet & New Media Moderator
One of the most frequent questions people ask me as a recruiter and as a Vault.com Moderator is, "How do I get into an Internet company?" My first reply is usually, "Why do you want to?" Far from facetious, I hope my question-with-a-question answer will provoke enough pause for thought that someone can more fully consider what they are doing.
Aside from those few people whose age and lack of apparently relevant experience is dampening their chances, getting into an Internet company is easy. Finding the right job and making something into a success is a different matter. Sometimes this sentiment appears to be lost on the frenzied high-tech employment market, but I see a backlash already underway.
Many Internet-sector employees are struggling with their freedom and longing for leadership, guidance, structure, process, and support. While colleges and universities continue to churn out class after class of dot-com millionaire wannabes, most of the blue-chip executives I speak with are far more cautious about prospective Internet forays. Me-too.com has lost some of its luster and the "intrepreneurial" endeavor has become the Holy Grail of the seasoned corporate job seeker.
For those who wonder if the Internet is right for them, following are a few questions you should ask yourself before jumping in with both feet.
- Why are you interested in this sector? Are you after the pot of gold at the end of the IPO? Are you too "creative" for the confines of the corporate world? Do you seek fame and adulation? Maybe it is enough that everybody else is doing it. Whatever your reason, be aware of what you want from your Internet endeavors.
- What is your appetite for risk? Are you an enthusiastic change agent or a Nervous Nellie? In a startup, everything from your job description to your chain of command to your company's strategy will contain a measure of ambiguity. If this sounds scary, stay home. This game is not for you.
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- What experience do you have? Guests who bring something to the party are always more welcome. Also, if your company fails, what will you do next? ("Join another startup" is a valid answer for a limited time only.) If you do not grab the brass ring on your first attempt, you will be better off with some real skills or experience to fall back on. In my experience, a few years of P&G brand marketing never hurt anyone's career.
My advice is join early or don't rush it. Find a mentor and spend some time learning. In a dot-com you can count on getting some good combat experience, but do not expect much basic training. People with minimal experience typically have less to lose with a bad career move, but those with solid skills and training will sustain their value even after the market tightens.
Check out David Troll's latest article on Vault.com's Internet and New Media Channel. Or e-mail him a question of your own at internet_moderator@staff.vault.com.
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