Career advice please! IC or Management.
Background: I've held director, manager, VP, executive level roles in the past at various companies including right now at Microsoft. Today: I'm being offered a new role that pays almost twice what I'm earning today, but as an IC (individual contributor). The title isn't great, it's just 'software engineer' at Netflix. ($600k TC) Would you take it? Why or why not? Pro and Cons I can anticipate: Pro- salary, less stress Con- doesn't look good for future employers, less responsibilities, less growth Note: Not sure it matters, but I'm a 31 year old woman.
Wow
You have an executive role at Microsoft and you get paid $300K? Care to tell us what you're smoking?
Principal level at Microsoft (I have manager in my title now), previously VP, director, at places that pay shit like IBM
This was my question? Like VP, c'mon, it doesn't make sense.
Perhaps OP is an Executive Assistant at M$ and thinks it is an executive role?
You may be right but then It still doesn't make sense. My understanding is that OP has a strong CS/engineering background otherwise she wouldn't get a senior software engineer offer from NFLX. That in mind, how could a such technically strong person choose to become an executive assistant (a role that doesn't require any technical skills perhaps). I may be wrong but that's some logical analysis I am making.
She didn't say VP in Microsoft . May be she is a manager in MS with 300 Tc. Previous inflated titles were in startups
You got it.
Depends on your goals. If you want to be on an executive track, a management role might be better... But only if you're learning new things in that role. That's the biggest factor in moving up: learn new things and kick ass in your current job, and you'll have opportunities for advancement whether you're IC or management.
Netflix has less stress compared to MGMT role at MS?
IC vs manager. IC you just worry about the code. Manager you worry about managing up, down, left, right, and whatever else.
I'd agree with your statement had it not been Netflix. With your exp and TC, you'd be pretty high up as an IC. And, with Netflix culture I'm sure you'd be expected to do A LOT.
I agree with above, Netflix expectations are way TOO HIGH. Congrats on getting the offer, you must have done extremely well in your interview
I’d take the money unless you REALLY love managing other people.
Title doesn’t really matter. Only tc does.