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Ask HN: Do I Ride the Titanic down?

5 points by Python3267 ↗ HN
Basically our CTO just left and engineers are leaving left and right. The startup is going down in flames and no one on the business side has realized it. Do I ride the ship down knowing that they cannot afford to lose me and take the 6-12 months of being employed until private equity buys the remains, or do I leave now?

15 comments

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PaulHoule
In this job market? Stay where you are but start looking.
Python3267
Thanks! Yeah I thought that'd be the advice. I'm worried work load is about to increase to a point where I can't stay on top of interview prep.
JohnFen
Don't kill yourself for a position that is clearly of limited duration, though. Don't take on so much of a workload that you can't have a private life, including things like interview prep.

I generally advise against sacrificing for any company that isn't yours anyway, but double so for a company that's going under. You don't have to do all the work that needs doing.

eschneider
They’re going down whether you stay or not. Take care of yourself, nobody else will.
Python3267
Yeah, it's more of a decision on how fast do I want to leave. Leaving fast nets me a new job, staying nets me security until we go down. Basically, we just hit the iceberg and I'm that engineer that's going welp she's going down.
aurizon
In essence, you and others see the impending crash - others do not? Analyse your role and, what made it 'sink', and determine if the 'holes' are terminal or if they can be patched and the ship saved - this assumes you know chapter/verse of the cause(s). This inside data might be of value to any potential 'White Knight' saviour to see if there is a save possible, and if not what can be built from the scrap metal - at whatever stage. This might allow you to craft a better role with your detailed knowledge - even an enduring role at a relaunch or with the use made of the parts. Your conclusions might be of value to the captain who steered them onto the rocks - or he might want to hand you an anchor to help you swim. The best defence is your own network and help delay the plunge and see how these options fan out. As others say, provision your own lifeboat as well and keep it ready as long as the cook is still feeding the crew in the gally. You are not alone, various startups have failed over the years - small/large. Their histories are probably archived in HN and will offer insights/connections. Good Luck.!!
Python3267
> In essence, you and others see the impending crash - others do not?

The CTO left and several of the top talent have already left. Leadership and HR knows its a doom spiral right now, but the normal business folks have no clue what's about to hit them

> or he might want to hand you an anchor to help you swim

Unfortunately they're that person.

> You are not alone, various startups have failed over the years - small/large. Their histories are probably archived in HN and will offer insights/connections. Good Luck.!!

Thank you very much.

aurizon
If they are that person = operate quietly and maximally, with dry feet.
bell-cot
> ...they cannot afford to lose me...

Questions:

Do they know that?

How will they treat you for the 6-12 months? (Yes, "very well" sounds logical. But "bully him to do the work of all the departed engineers" is a sadly common human reaction.)

Python3267
I'm thinking it's going to be an experiment with how I can get away with before they actively try to get rid of me. Basically, how much schlong swinging can I get away with.
toomuchtodo
Work enough to not get fired but not so much you burn out, look for other jobs, build your savings further, be prepared to collect unemployment when they fold or you’re let go.
Python3267
Aye, Aye Captian.
toomuchtodo
Steady as she goes. Sometimes the best action is no action, but to be prepared to take action when the situation changes.