The Internet isn't just reshaping how we communicate and shop, it's reshaping the
way we work. As new players emerge and old players change their tactics, the
competitive landscapes of entire industries are shifting. For job seekers, this has
been a panacea.
While it's impossible to speak of the Internet as a lone industry (how can it be when it
includes everything from e-commerce companies to companies serving the
business-to-business markets to proprietary information services firms?) those
companies playing on the Internet share some basic similarities in how they operate
and who they hire.
Who Works in this Industry
If you land a job at a dot com, don't expect to be working under crotchety old timers
who look like they are leftovers from the Nixon administration. The people who work in
the medium are young-with most in their twenties and early thirties. On the fashion
front, most dot comers don't like getting any more dressed up than khakis and a polo
shirt-even when they're going to meetings with clients.
This youthful, laid back environment accounts for much of the exuberance and zeal
that characterize dot coms. Young people bring energy and ideas, which keeps things
interesting. But they don't bring structure, which can make things difficult. It's unlikely
you'll find the organizational structure and clearly defined protocols that exist at more
established companies.
At many Web companies, every time you do something it can feel like you've got to
reinvent the wheel. Dot coms are chaotic places to work, no doubt about it-there's
always a problem and most of the time it's a problem the company has never
encountered before. Things change fast and if you can't change with them, you won't
last long. And if your company can't change quickly, forget it-chances are, you'll be
job hunting soon.
With Uncertainty, Opportunity
Many people working in the Internet thrive on uncertainty and instability. They don't
mind the fact-and may enjoy it-that every day will present a new challenge and
opportunity to test the skills they have and to learn new ones. If you handle those
challenges well, you'll rise quickly because your company needs you to. Dot coms are
meritocracies by nature; they can't afford not to be. Don't be surprised if the
six-employee outfit you originally joined quintuples in size by the time of your first
six-month performance review comes around.
To survive, you've got to be smart, quick minded, and have a sturdy sense of humor.
This industry isn't for straight-laced types who grew up dreaming of gray Brooks
Brothers suits and Saturday night bridge games. Dot com recruiters value a sense of
humor highly because it's often the only way to deal with the absurd pace of change
and intense demands of the job. The jobs require an extraordinary commitment, and if
you don't get along with your coworkers, you won't last long. Insiders spend about ten
hours a day at work, with crunch times calling for even longer hours.
With these long work hours come some fun and games. Many companies throw
weekly parties or hold monthly happy hours. Don't be surprised if you find yourself
sharing a pitcher of beer with your company founder-the youth and flat organizational
structure of many dot coms makes them collegial places where people from all levels
of the company socialize regularly. Even the workplace itself is often conducive to fun
with some companies having in-house pool tables, ping-pong tables, and video
games.
The Bottom Line
Jobs at dot coms may sound like big commitments-and they are. But keep in mind
you're going to have stock options, so in some sense, it's your company you're
working for. And who knows, you could be one of the lucky ones whose company goes
public or gets bought, making you rich-or at least wealthier-in the process.
Those who thrive at dot coms have an inner motivation to achieve and derive
satisfaction from transforming an idea into a successful business. Nobody knows
how exactly the Internet will reshape our lives over the long term, but one thing's
certain-it's changing the way we work. A job at a dot com is an opportunity to have a
hand in building the foundation for a new e-world.
This career advice article brought to you by
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Copyright 1999. Reprinted with permission.
