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Ask HN: Should I go from big tech to a startup?

12 points by civicsquid ↗ HN
I work at one of the big tech companies. I make what I think is good money, and I generally enjoy my work (although it has been starting to feel like a bit of a grind). I've been here for over two years.

I got an offer from a startup that is doing well financially. The salary is good and the equity seems like it could be okay after some negotiation. I'm not sure precisely what I'd be working on but I do know the general area. The people seem intelligent and fun.

I'm trying to decide if I should make the jump. I really like having an office to go into, the benefits, and the pay of where I'm at. But trying something new seems like a really interesting change, even if I'm giving up quite a bit in my book.

Has anyone else made a similar change (or decided against it)? How did you come to your conclusion?

9 comments

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tsjq
If you like the super organized way of working: those processes, paperworks, etc : you might not like the startup ways.
civicsquid
I don't love these aspects. We generally don't have them as much where I work (I think). Maybe I've just never noticed.
weastur
When I was faced with the same choice, I just had thought that I just need to try to compare. There are plenty of big companies with great salaries, so I could always come back.
civicsquid
I assume you made the jump. What was the outcome? Did you find it just as easy to find offers elsewhere as you did when you were at a big company (if you were looking at all)?

I am partly -- perhaps irrationally -- concerned that going to a startup will somehow make me less attractive to companies for working at a smaller scale.

weastur
I'm sure you are wrong -- you'll not be less attractive, moreover, I think you'll be more attractive because you'll have had both working experiences: small and big companies. As for me I'm definitely not receiving fewer job offers now, after the jump.
alek_m
" (although it has been starting to feel like a bit of a grind)"

Working in a startup also requires a lot of grind, just be aware of that. But if you want jump to something new i would take the opportunity.

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recursivefaults
Edit: Formatting My perspective is pretty well echoed here about the major differences.

Startup: High-energy, high-impact, high-volatility.

Enterprise: low-mid-energy, low-mid impact, low-volatility.

For me, when I look at this I look at it from the lens of what I want next in life, then figure out which option might give the best "Step" to it. Then I set a kind of timebox to it.

So for example, if I want to get back to feel that high-impact again... maybe I'd be willing to try a startup for lets say 6 months. I'd re-evaluate after that.

I think the timebox helps because it helps folks remember it isn't a permanent choice and re-evaluate what opportunities really exist where you are and elsewhere.

itake
For a financial and work-life balance perspective:

Personally, I'd will never work for early stage startups again. The risk vs reward is extremely unfair, with co-founders and investors eating most of the pie.

Late-stage startups near IPO / exits (usually 6-10 years after founding) might be worth it, b/c equity will 2x quickly. But often those deals tend to still pay less than big tech after the 2x.

If you really want to work at an early stage, start your own.