Stay at Goldman vs Squarespace or Datadog
Currently a mid level engineer on a client facing tech team at GS but have been interviewing around to gauge the market and see what else is out there as I'm getting tired of finance. TC for 2018 - 200k (140k base + 60k bonus) Base for 2019 - 151k YOE: 3.5 Managed to land offers from (base/bonus/stock per year/sign on): 1. Squarespace - 151k/0/$18k RSUs/20k 2. Data Dog - 160k/0/900 options/20k Also had offers from: 1. Jet - 130k/15%/5k/0 - but were not willing to negotiate up from there 2. Amazon (NYC) - but they downleveled me to SDE 1 and therefore we'rent able to match current TC due to pay bands Logic is telling me to stay at GS for another year for TC or passively interview at other Big N companies in NYC this year. Just trying to get feedback from this community as to whether that's the right decision here given that I'm looking to move from finance. Thank you in advance for your input!
Are you on marcus at gs?
Nope sorry not on Marcus, but they do have a great team over there.
Thank you. I think the team at Datadog has more potential for growth from what I can see. But do you think the paycut I'd potentially be taking would be worth that?
Squarespace looks like a depressing place to work
Was not getting that vibe from the on-site but I'm sure it can be depending on the team
It's a CMS. The people don't look happy to be there. When you hear them talk, they just keep re-org-ing by splitting teams. I doubt there are many growth opportunities.
How come squarespace is offering RSUS they are a private company
Yes I was surprised as well. But they just started offering RSUs as of December last year. Think this indicates that they are closer to exit
That will be options not RSU as far as my knowley goes RSUs are only for public company
How much worth of both RSUs and options? Go for squarespace if it s a good team.
Squarespace RSU Grant is worth $18k a year DataDog Option Grant is 937 options a year with a return of $17k (likely to grow though depending on exit value) Squarespace would be a good team and at a level just below senior. You think I should leave GS either way though?
SQSP is good as a transitional workplace or if wlb is a pri. You're definitely not going to get rich working there, though.
Fair point for sure. Based on their equity calculator, even with an IPO soon the comp wouldn't be phenomenal by any means You still think it would be a better move than staying at GS though?
I think only you can decide that. It's a good place to be if you want to accomplish something specific, and then move on, while having a job that doesn't occupy your life.
Have all of your 3.5 YOE been with GS ?
Yep started there right out of school in 2015
Have you tried Facebook/Uber/Google/Twitter. Amazon also downleveled me to sde1 last year and hence they were not able to match what I was expecting. If I were you, I would keep on interviewing and try to get better offers.
Thanks for the response! FB - no response from apply yet Uber - got rejected after on-site last Wednesday Google - in a freeze until June when I last interviewed with them Twitter - don't seem to be qualified for any roles in NYC right now
How about Bloomberg and trust me it's not a finnacial company
With those options I’d go with datadog personally but with that and square being so close offer wise I’d come down to the specifics of the role. Putting in another year at GS really doesn’t buy you anything as far as building your resume goes and unless you are still actively learning and gaining experience you’re not improving you odds at landing T1 companies.
Yes, regarding specifics of the role - DataDog has more interesting work and more potential for growth I'd say. And you really hit the nail on the head regarding staying at GS another year. So do you think that moving and getting different experience would help with landing T1?