So you want to work for a Berlin startup?
by Guest Blogger
An insider’s view of the Berlin startup scene by Abby Carney, with some practical job-hunting tips – and GIFs curated by When You Live in Berlin.
I moved from Atlanta to Berlin last summer to intern with a particular startup. But after nearly a year of working and socializing in what quickly became the cramped quarters of the startup bubble, I have lost a bit of the bright eyed naivety that led me here.
I have nothing but good things to say about my former employers and the friends I’ve made through startups, but having led one version of the typical expat’s life within the tight tech scene of entrepreneurs and endless hack days (who knew so many things could be hacked?), I can honestly say that all that glitters isn’t gold. And if you feel like your job/life lacks risk and thrills, I’d advise against yearning for the exciting life of a startup employee, because it comes at a cost, and so much of the hype is just that – hype.
Prior to my move, I read article after article, dug up every TED talk, interview, and minutiae of information that would give me insight into the famed Berlin tech startup sector. After being in it, meeting people at different companies, and seeing things up close, I came to realize that startups (at least in Berlin) are often times rampant with sexism, unprofessionalism, and confused 20-something boys in high-level positions – afraid to ask for help when they need it, and reluctant to take counsel or constructive criticism. Peacocking for investors and venture capitalists is what they do best – because their livelihood ultimately depends on impressing these people – and watching this pan out is like watching women dolled up for beauty pageants, sucking in and strutting around in uncomfortable gowns and unnaturally high heels.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are good! Technology is vast and amazing, much like the universe itself. But I now see startups for what they are – new business ventures that are fully reliant on investors, and are not yet profitable. This is why people work themselves into the ground, rarely leaving the office save for meetups, parties, and networking events… It’s not Hollywood, as some would have you believe, and these CEOs aren’t necessarily any smarter or more on the ball than anyone else. A great many of them don’t have a clue what they’re doing, and their worst fear is that you’ll find them out.
It’s not all good, and it’s not all bad. Taking part in startup shenanigans and seeing it all up close and personal has given me a more balanced perspective. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz when Toto knocks down the screen, revealing the great and powerful Oz to be just a little old man with a control panel, the pageantry of startups in Berlin can be a bit of a sham and a lot of smoke and mirrors. It’s necessary to pull back the curtain to determine who really knows what they’re talking about. Much of the time, these small companies are successful not because they are run by smart, talented, hardworking folks, but because they are young, beautiful, well-spoken Soho House regulars. Not to say that the two camps can’t exist within the same business, but in my Berlin experience, I’ve found the occurrence to be rare.
Do your homework
So, if you’ve made it this far and despite the disclaimer, you still think Berlin startup life is for you, my advice to the potential budding startup employees out there is to perform a background check on the companies you consider working with. Doing your homework means being thorough – befriend the startup gossips and get the scoop on everyone in the village. Despite appearances, it’s a small town, and it’s good to know who you’re crawling into bed with.
It’s true of any business, corporate or fledgling, that who you work with and for is crucial to your success and happiness within the organization, but especially in startups. When work is typically done in close quarters, teams are small and the line between work and home becomes seriously blurred, it’s important to join a team of people you trust, admire, and respect. A lot. So if possible, find their former employees, people who have been laid off, or who have moved on, and quietly find out what you might be getting yourself into. Simply perusing their press page isn’t going to yield the sort of answers you’re looking for.
Seek diversity
Don’t be blinded by the free Club Mates and fancy espressos. Pay attention to who’s on the team. Age is just a number, but in some cases, it matters. A startup with the wisdom and leadership of someone (or a few someones) who’s been around the block a time or two is a huge asset, as there are no shortcuts to experience and maturity. They’re gained the old fashioned way – over time. A few tree rings means your startup of choice is run by insightful, intelligent folks who will likely value you and your skills. Be looking for female employees too, particularly in leadership roles. According to the research, teams with greater gender diversity generate more innovative thinking in problem solving.
Find a balance
Also, resist the urge to drink the Kool Aid. What I mean by this is simply to keep balance in your life. Actually have a life that exists outside the office. There’s something genuinely beautiful about the way many startup teams feel close to each other, like a family, and they spend most of their time together during their off hours as well. But the downside to this is that you will create a bubble for yourself, and sooner or later you’ll burn out. Find at least one hobby, group, or activity that you keep separate from work so that you don’t go crazy. And for heaven’s sake, try your best not to date your co-workers. Berlin is a big city, and there are plenty of fish in its murky sea. Better to throw a line in the Spree than in your own workplace.
That being said, enjoy your time working to create something you feel connected to. It will be perhaps some of the most arduous and soul-enhancing endeavor you’ve ever been a part of, working for a startup. If you’ve counted the costs and are in for the wild ride, why not give Berlin startup life a try?
[…] read the newspapers, heard the critiques, and listened to the song, but do you still find yourself wondering, “Is everyone really moving […]
[…] a first hand account of what it’s like to work at a Berlin start-up, read Abby’s story. Or take a look at this graduate guide to Berlin’s start-up […]
[…] Abby Carney discusses the Berlin startup scene and what you might want to look for when choosing a place to work (So You Want to Work for a Berlin Startup?) […]
I feel like shouting, SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT! Well put. Also you’re a great writer and if you’re ever looking for a job, holler.
Oh hey, Courtney! I haven’t checked back on the comments here in a few months, but thank you so much for your kind words! And coincidentally, I am very much looking for a job. We should chat.
perfect. enought and well said. i wish i have read it one year ago, just as some preparation.
[…] culture and their city, you need to learn German. Most jobs outside of the ultra-competitive startup scene call for at least basic German skills, as do meetings at any government building and phone calls […]
I agree with you berlin is a very nice place for working and living. If you look for it jobs you can check my site Marsjobs.net
On the other hand, the Berlin startup scene can also be seen as a bit of a joke.
Abby has enough guts to speak truthfully and enough wit to speak intelligently, cleverly. If its more women we need in the Berlin start-up seen, then this lady should be front in center.
Exactly my experience.
Nice one Abby! It’s nice to read a personal account of “the other side”. I feel maybe said bitterness felt in said Swiss Get Your Guide office has in fact little to do with you and your opinions per se.
Well said.
It’s a brave and nuanced article. As a representative of a media outlet in the Berliner startup scene I will try to be more aware regarding these issues. Thank you.
“But I now see startups for what they are – new business ventures that are fully reliant on investors, and are not yet profitable. ”
Unless they are bootstrapped, which requires earning some money on the side. But that’s not the kind of startups these guys you talk about here want to build (or, for the most part, are able to build in the first place), or that you hear about in the “tech media bubble”. Nobody knew Peritor before they were bought by Amazon, most people didn’t know about them long after – many still don’t know.
Good article, could use some more concrete examples though! ????
All examples are from Abby’s time at Gidsy. The bitterness can be felt all the way in Swiss GetYourGuide offices..
The essence of what she’s saying is mostly true, I just find it sad that she couldn’t write it without all the petty digs at “a few someones”…
wahhhhhuuuuhhhh wahhhuhhhhh
I am positive she is not talking about her old coworkers here. I know because I know her and I know them. It sounds like a broader view at startups in general and of course some people are not going to like the perspective she writes from because we often don’t hear the negatives of startup life.
I don’t think she is being petty, I think she is being honest in her perspective and in the end it is her take on startups — not everyone has her experiencel.
I don’t think it should be looked at that way at all.
Like I said, I think she states the truth… In fact I don’t disagree with any of the main points.
I just don’t agree that it’s a “broad view”.. this article is filled with insinuations from Abby’s ONE start-up experience, and if you don’t see that you’re letting your friendship cloud your judgement.
I would’ve loved to read an article like this, but without the baggage AC brought to it.
I know she is a freelancer and has had more than one experience in the startup world. But, I know this is hard subject for many people and writing about it will of course make people upset. It might also make people think they are being singled out.
I was just stating that I hope and don’t think she is calling anyone out in particular. And, yes we are friends so I am vouching for her because I know her.
I think Natalie did a great job of explaining, but I thought I would add, V, that this is not a blog post directed at any particular person or company, but is a broad view of startups within the city, that broad view being mine, and we are all entitled to our own opinions, eh?
I think it is interesting that you make such a generalization about my personal experiences without knowing me. If I had just one startup experience, I don’t believe I would write a general piece about Berlin startups. However, I am a freelancer and have worked and collaborated with several startups in the area. I do not dislike startups or feel any malice towards anyone in that world, and just after the opening line mentioned that I have nothing but good things to say about my former employers and friends here.
some people have no home training. who calls someone out and references where they worked. and did you write the article? you clearly didn’t. you don’t know her personal work history or experience.
Hi V,
Thanks for weighing in. I appreciate your insights, however I believe you’ve misread and misunderstood the piece. There is no bitterness or resentment, and if you read through to the end, you will understand that I am trying to give a balanced perspective based on my personal experiences working with startups in Berlin, Gidsy being only one of many I have worked for, collaborated, and/or socialized with. These are all personal opinions expressed here, which is why it’s a blog post, and not a journalistic article.
Wow, anonymous poster. Your dedication to ad hominem attacks, unprofessional name dropping, and straight up rudeness sure does a lot to bolster the professionalism and responsible behavior of the Berlin startup scene.
Not.
stop saying these guys..i’m so sick of reading that in the comments section on startup articles. there are plenty of hard working women that work in startups too.
and aren’t you stating the obvious by saying no one wants to bootstrap. duh.
Berlin has an extremely low percentage of female founders and the problems she wrote about were with “20-something boys in high-level positions”, so I don’t think there is a need to bring idiotic gendering into this, even if you read it literally. Also, I have neither worked for a startup with a female founder nor heard of similar problems at one of the few startups with female founders… which probably doesn’t say a whole lot, because there are just not that many around in Berlin. (I mean actual independent companies, not company builder creations)
Plenty of people want to bootstrap and do in fact bootstrap, you misunderstood that. Just (apparently) not people with a certain background.
Someone call the waaahmbulance… sounds like Abbey needs to go back to the 9 to 5 world.
Can you read? She’s not complaining, she’s giving a realistic view of what Berlin startups are like. If she was bawwwing she wouldn’t have ended the article with telling the reader to give it a try.
Nailed it! I agree with you 100%. Wish we had met ????
Extra points for using the word “Peacocking”
Simply.wow.
Thanks for saying this! It needed to be said.
I second this motion.
You nailed it, nothing to add really. It’s not all bad, it’s not all good. And it has always been that way, maybe before 2000 startups were often a bit less fashion bloggish. But essentially some experience does help. I am 34 now.
I love it.
This is great Abby slash I couldn’t agree more.