Job safety of new hires and negotiation

Aug 15, 2020 6 Comments

I've heard conflicting information and good reasons for why new hires are relatively safe during layoffs (existing engineers cost more), and why they're relatively at risk (not as experienced within the company). Does anyone have data on what has actually happened so far? If you're a more-than-competent engineer and can learn quickly, how risky would it be to start a new job right now?

Also - if new hires are indeed at greater risk, and companies know this, have we seen companies less likely to budge during negotiations since they know your mobility is shattered? How have you gotten around this?

TC 400K (160 base, rest stock which is doing unusually well right now), 4 yoe, L4 (hopefully 5 soon)

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TOP 6 Comments
  • Uber
    Clpn22

    Go to company page Uber

    Clpn22
    I would focus on the risk profile or likelihood of layoffs of each company separately than existing vs new. Reality is both kinds of employees get laid off. Avoiding layoffs has other benefits for you besides keeping your job. Working somewhere with multiple rounds of layoffs is demoralizing. Good people leave. It generally sucks even if you don't lose your job.
    Aug 15, 2020 1
  • JUUL / Product
    TaPT10

    Go to company page JUUL Product

    PRE
    Apple, Fitbit
    TaPT10
    Why do you want to leave Pinterest. For your YOE your TC is high. What prospects do you have?
    Aug 15, 2020 2
    • OP
      One thing to note is my TC is rather bloated right now because our stock is doing unusually well. (Though I know I'm still being compensated very fairly)

      My main reason is that I will need to move cities sometime in the next few years for friends, family, and other reasons. Since pinterest explicitly did not commit to permanent remote work, my choices are to either switch in the next year, or later - possibly in the middle of a recession. I am willing to take a TC cut, so I'm more worried about stability.
      Aug 15, 2020
    • JUUL / Product
      TaPT10

      Go to company page JUUL Product

      PRE
      Apple, Fitbit
      TaPT10
      Ok that’s good info. Here’s my take. Are you a badass with skills coveted on the market? If so, it really doesn’t matter the state of the economy cause companies will always pursue you. Especially in tech.

      Are you highly skilled and believe there’s many like you out there with the same or even greater skill sets? Then stay put and ride it out. Being that Pinterest will most likely employ some sort of hybrid remote or maybe fully remote work policy, my opinion is a job is better than an uncertain job. Or having to reestablish tenure at a new job. Unless of course the company is Apple. I have worked at Apple and once you’re in you’re in. Also they are the largest company in the world by market cap and there’s a reason for that.
      Aug 16, 2020
  • TI
    jhOe45

    Go to company page TI

    jhOe45
    Following!
    Aug 15, 2020 0