Tiger BufordYour Orthopedic Industry Expert (free today)

Inside Orthopedics Podcast #41: How to Prevent Yourself from Ever Joining a Startup

15 Oct 2021 · 4 min

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4:25

In this solo episode of the Inside Orthopedics podcast, host Tiger Buford—an orthopedic industry insider and retained recruiter for early‑stage orthopedic companies—delivers a tongue‑in‑cheek “countdown” of ten self‑sabotaging habits that keep professionals from ever joining an orthopedic startup. He opens with a real‑world anecdote about a talented friend who declined a startup opportunity because he was busy with an accelerated MBA, prompting Buford to reflect on why many candidates unintentionally eliminate themselves from startup opportunities. Using a David Letterman‑style countdown, he lists: (10) staying at a current employer to wait for a promised promotion; (9) pursuing additional degrees (e.g., an MBA) that create financial dependency on the current employer; (8) declining phone interviews; (7) prioritizing a spouse’s career over one’s own; (6) waiting for a startup to become profitable before joining; (5) rooting oneself geographically within a 30‑mile radius; (4) waiting for perfect business and personal conditions; (3) extending tenure at a current job to avoid the “job‑hopper” label; (2) avoiding learning about startups or talking to experienced friends; and (1) accumulating personal debt through large purchases. Buford acknowledges that many listeners are guilty of some of these behaviors, wraps up with a call to subscribe, and wishes listeners a “happy ortho.” The episode serves both as career advice for prospective startup talent and a light‑hearted reminder of common self‑limiting choices.

Chapters

Brought to you by Tiger Buford. Welcome back to Inside Orthopedics. This is Tiger, your orthopedic industry insider and retained recruiter for early-stage orthopedic companies. This is episode number 41. Titled "How to Prevent Yourself from Ever Joining a Startup." This will be a short one. I talk to people almost every day who want to work in an orthopedic startup, but they manage to sabotage their chances. I recently received a message from a talented friend after bringing him a unique startup opportunity. His message said, "Hi Tiger, I appreciate the consideration. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of getting my MBA in an accelerated program and pretty much maxed out at the moment. Good luck with your search." I placed someone else at the promising startup and her career has really taken off. So I started thinking, what are the 10 things you can do to eliminate yourself from opportunities in the startup world? Here they are. So let's do this like a David Letterman kind of countdown. Number 10: hang in there at your current company for that Next promotion that's been promised. You can get it. You might well outlast everyone else and get that promotion. Number 9, get more degrees, perhaps an MBA, and have your employer pay for it. This will create a financial dependency with your employer. Number 8: If an opportunity for a phone interview doesn't sound good, just pass. You're a busy person. You don't need to talk to unneeded interviews. Number 7: Don't do anything crazy to mess up your spouse's job Always be thinking about your spouse's career also. Number 6: If you're really interested in joining a small company, wait until the startup has strong sales and is profitable before making the move. Number 5: 2. Put down strong roots in your local community so that your next job must be within 30 miles of your house. 4. Wait for the perfect business conditions and personal situation before you jump into a startup. 3. To make your resume look solid, stay at your current employer a bit longer. You don't want to look like a job hopper. Number 2, don't waste time reading and learning about startups, and there's no need in talking with friends who have taken these risks at startups. And drum roll, number 1: Build personal debt. Buy a giant house, fancy cars, and lots of toys. You deserve it. So those are 10 ways to prevent yourself from ever joining a startup. We're all guilty of some of these. Hope you enjoyed this and learned something. Remember to subscribe, and happy ortho.