If you’re a tech professional currently working in Silicon Docks at one of the large multinational tech companies like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn or Indeed, you may be wondering if the grass is actually greener at one of the country’s fastest growing scale-ups. As a tech recruiter immersed in Dublin’s vibrant scale-up scene, I’m here to make the case for why taking the leap can accelerate your career growth and wealth in ways those global giants no longer can.

The Opportunity for Greater Impact 

At those big established tech firms, you likely feel like just another replaceable cog in a huge global wheel. Promotions and leadership roles feel frustratingly out of reach and largely dependent on tenure and politics. But at a scale-up in hypergrowth mode, you’ll join when the company is still shaping its culture and processes. That allows you to make a real, tangible impact, whether it’s spearheading initiatives, building new systems from scratch, or just voicing perspectives that will be heard. Leadership recognises outsized contributions because every person counts. You’ll likely find far more opportunities to stretch yourself, exercise creativity in problem solving, take ownership over projects and products, and just feel the satisfaction of pushing the company forwards.

Unbridled Learning & Growth Environment 

Experienced professionals know that the fastest way to develop in-demand skills is to join high-momentum companies where taking on diverse roles and assignments is a necessity. Unlike large established firms where you gain depth but little breadth, startups and scale-ups offer a trial-by-fire environment that essentially compresses 5-10 years of learning into 2-3 years. You’ll likely wear multiple hats spanning departments, constantly be pushed outside your comfort zone adapting to change, handle responsibilities beyond your years of experience, and learn from talented peers also attracted to the company’s ambitions. It’s baptism by fire, but if you can handle the heat, your capabilities and marketability will balloon.

Build Meaningful Connections & Relationships 

In our globally distributed big tech workplaces, it can feel rather lonely and transactional interacting mainly over video conferences, Slack or email. You have thousands of “co-workers” but very few meaningful connections and friends you’ll keep for life. At earlier stage startups though, you’ll bond tightly with a group unified by collective purpose and urgency. You’ll celebrate wins, support each other through hard times, and forge the types of connections that lead to future professional collaborations whether as customers, partners or even co-founders. The alumni networks of scale-up employees can become invaluable career accelerators.

If you are seeking more ownership, creative freedom, career development, financial upside and meaningful connections, it’s time to leverage your big tech brand experience to land an impactful role at one of Ireland’s hot scale-ups. Recognise that you likely took career risks going to those CV-worthy employers early on – take another by becoming an early employee at the next generation of iconic Irish companies. The speed at which you’ll acquire capabilities and expand your network can set you up for leadership roles in future startups or even inspire you to launch your own.

Let me know if you’d like to discuss current opportunities in Dublin’s scale-up ecosystem! There’s never been a better time to take the leap.