Is it worth joining a Startup Institute for 8 weeks while I'm between jobs?
I've worked for two startups and now I'm looking for my next venture. Rather than rush into a new position, I want to take my time exploring all my options. I don't want potential job acquirers to be concerned with the gap in my resume. Is it worth paying to complete an 8 week program like Startup Institute offers? This way I can network, fine-tune my skills, and continue to keep job searching.
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Feb 28, 2016
What does your HEART tell you?
Have you listened to it?
What is your true goal or purpose in Life?
If you start doing some self-Reflection, this will help you answer your question
Focus on the WHY of YOU, and it is always good to take a break and a pause in life, to smell the roses, and to look at where you want to move forward and live through this current life
Feb 24, 2016
Hi, Daniel,
It is an excellent idea joining a Startup Institute while you are between jobs, or any other training /specialization program you find interesting for your career, if you are able to pay the fees.
First of all this will help you to get new connections, new skills, new knowledge...the world is in a continuous evolution.
On other hand for your CV should be a good point your continuous interest for personal development.
Kind regards and good luck
Feb 22, 2016
Not a good idea to socialize while between jobs. But put out your resume as much as possible.
Feb 22, 2016
Daniel, I have done this and it worked out fine. Make sure what ever you do dont put your self in a situation where he people your are dealing with short term think you are there for the long hall. Let them know up front or give them ample notice of you leaving. Bridges bunt are hard to rebuild.
When I chose to do it I could have taken the time off three months and enjoyed the summer or make money, I chose make over spend, extra experience over being stagnant, and networking with new people and now friends over no new relationships.
So, if you go for it make an impact for you and the other party. Step away looking good and a little richer.
Best of success, Gil
Feb 22, 2016
It depends.
Are you a.) looking to join a new startup next time with the idea that you are looking for a long-term position with them going forward, or b.) is your career going to focus on moving from startup to startup with new challenges in each one, or c.) do you see your career trajectory as somewhere in the middle?
If a.), you will probably not use the credential to its maximum value in going forward, BUT credentials tend to have long-term value that is only realized many years down the road during spin-off opportunities and the like anyhow.
If b.), the credential will indeed help you land the next position, and possibly many more after that, and the networking will be invaluable down the road also.
If c.), this credential combined with your experiences will place you in a strong candidate position for many startups in the next few years, and startups are either at the beginning of a massive boom or will be in a major boom in the next decade.
Frankly, I'm not seeing a downside to doing this assuming you have the resources (time, energy, dollars) to support it concurrent with your job search.
Eight to ten weeks is an eye-blink in terms of career, so I'd personally go for it if you have the interest and the resources -- the only time I'd say not to do that is if you are planning to use the credential and skills to get OUT of the startup market into the vanishing corporate job market. You sound smarter than to do that, actually.
Feb 22, 2016
Absolutely! The Startup Institute is an intensive but specific skills based program. It is better to take the time, focus on what you really want to do, and gain some additional learning in the process all which can be done while job searching. It does have a price tag attached and lots of work involved but it is an investment in yourself and your future. It won't be considered a gap in your resume to have an 8 week hiatus where you are involved in an educational venture like this. It is easy to explain that you wanted to gain additional skills and take the opportunity to join the Institute.
I think many of the respondents don't know the specifics of the nature of the Startup Institute's offerings. You can continue to job search during the coursework and the network from the Institute will also be available to help open doors as well. However you will be more focused upon finishing the 8 weeks on what you want to do and where you really can shine. Good luck!!
Feb 22, 2016
Daniel, maybe I don't totally understand your question, but my recommendation is to take the course only if you have interest in starting a new business yourself, be a team player in a new business, have the funds available to start a new business, or have the funds to explore for a few weeks..... It depends upon what you "belly tells you, your belly never lies..."
Feb 22, 2016
How about offering to intern at an incubator in your area. That way you'll make the contacts you need, and save your money, which would be an example of thinking like an entrepreneur (preserving capital, adding value to yourself).
In the meantime, allow yourself to dream about what you would do if it had nothing to do with money. You might be surprised by the creative ideas that bubble up. Being "between jobs" is a great gift. There are other ways to make money, and even more than you were making in your last job. But you need to free your mind from the idea that your money has to come from working for someone else for these ideas to present themselves.
We're all "hard-wired" for safety, but the only safety is in developing the skills and unshakable knowing that we can make money in any situation. Hanging out at an incubator with successful and aspiring entrepreneurs would be a great way to start learning the skills you'll need.
If you need further guidance, feel free to contact me.
Murray Ansell
www.businessenergycoaching.com
Feb 22, 2016
I think you should be clear about what you want. If you were worried about resume gaps you should not have left one job before acquiring another. You seem to be interested in , for developing a business plan and owning or initiating a start up . A start up institute may help but even if it does the responsibility for choice of product/ technology and for developing and implementing a business plan, in the initial stages it would be better to have a Mentor to hold your hands and help you.
Feb 22, 2016
Hi Daniel,
Know what you have in the bank to pay the bills in case you out of work for 6 - 8 months. It would not be wise to take on a commitment where no income is coming in for the exchange of energy and time if the funds are not there to carry you.
To use it as smoke screen to fill in gaps of time between employment is moot because you may find a job within weeks or a short amount of time. That is determined by how committed and creative you are in finding what you want and how much of it is available and on the market. To use it for networking seems pointless as it is attracting other people like you or those interested in starting a business, not those who already have or can get you into a company.
A startup course may not fine tune your business skills it helps you identify your internal SWOTs, how to create a business plan, how to develop a marketing plan for a company, etc. So unless you want to be hired to help others start up businesses I would not be too sure this is the correct application for building the skill set you are looking for. If you want to fine tune your business skills there are Dale Carnegie, Fred Pryor, and other courses you can take including in colleges (by the way did you know you can take free college course in different areas including business? They are usually online, and some colleges may allow you to sit in a audit some classes - you'd have to do some research to learn which ones).
By clamping down and perfecting your job searching skills helps you get a job faster and more offers. By spreading yourself thin and losing time not perfecting your resume, networking and interview capabilities and honing your strategic approach you ultimately paint your own destiny as far as how long you may be looking. The longer you delay the longer it will take.
You will need to decide whether a course is really going to get you a job (not, unless it is giving you skills, academics and certification in another area or higher level area you are not involved or ever been employed) or if what you want to to be employed vs. someone that may be the employer.
Feb 22, 2016
Daniel, have you determined that the institute will deliver sufficient value to justify the cost? A $7K+ investment is not small change. I agree that fine tuning your skills is important but training is not really about fine tuning. Networking and job searching can be done simultaneously and without the cost of the institute. As for the gap in your resume I have two thoughts- 1) provided you can articulate what you have done, are doing and are seeking to do, I believe it is not important to prospective employers (particularly in the start-up world) and 2) being "in school" does not provide a resume filler for one who would otherwise be employed.