Re:Ask HN: Signs as an Employee of a Failing Startup?
by webel0 on Friday January 14, 2022 @07:24PM
(#29942317)
> Another issue is when the core product itself is faulty in a way the customer will notice.
Products with (really) rough edges is part of working at a startup. You may be dissatisfied with what you’re shipping but it is all about how much it is solving your customers’ problems.
> Unethical practices.
This should definitely inform whether you stay or go as well as how much trust you can place in mgmt/co-workers.
Unethical practices by no means imply that a firm will fail. For that matter, dysfunctional firms don’t always fail either.
Another issue is when the core product itself is faulty in a way the customer will notice. That sounds obvious … but it’s not.
Also, hitting a growth spurt with no full time product managers. That’s not good.
Unethical practices. For example, if you’re asked to generate “rosey” sales reports for the board. In fact, anything where you’re working against the board screams: “Run!”
Being very liberal with stock options. Nothing says “failing company” like a comp package that’s mostly options.
Also, pay attention to the quarterly cycles. If the company is going to collapse, they’re probably going to collapse at a quarter mark.