Currently at Workday. WLB is insane, so easy to rest and vest, company is very stable and employee-centric, and there have been no signs of layoffs or impacts from recession thus far (we are still hiring). Manager is great, and pressure is low. Overall the company is pretty risk averse and job security is high. However, growth opportunities are virtually non existent, and promotions/comp increase are extremely limited. I feel more eager to learn than my peers, who mostly seem to be there for the job security and WLB. Got an offer from a privately funded startup. The product space they are in is awesome, it’s something I am personally fantasized by. Everyone at the company is super passionate about it, and seems to fully enjoy working towards the goal of what they are building. It is super early stage (around 25 people, 5 engineers). The founder is a billionaire, and started this company a year ago. Because it is privately funded, it doesn’t seem like they have a “runway”, rather it seems like the founder is willing to pump money into this until it is successful. Lastly, they are throwing a lot of cash at me, see comp changes below. Current: Base 150k, RSU 60k, Bonus 15k (225k TC) New: Base 260k, 0.25% equity, Bonus TBD YOE: 5 The base salary they are offering me is more than my combined TC in my current role. Also, joining the startup would be a title bump (Mid level -> Senior). Pros: Love the product, everyone is passionate, great learning opportunities, massive base salary, title bump (senior) Cons: Tossing away job security for job risk in the middle of a recession, exchanging best WLB for least WLB, fear of the unknown of joining an early stage startup Edit - Adding more context: I am debt free, have no mortgage, young and single. Have savings to last me at least a handful of years. US citizen.
Is the RSU per year? i.e 60k/yr ?
Yes they even did TC math at the end, which confirms it
Correct (including refreshers)
debt free, no mortgage, no dependents, no visa limitations (citizen). Have savings for the next few years.
Seems like a pretty clear choice.
If your WLB is that easy at workday, then go OE
OE?
Over employed. ie working 2 jobs simultaneously. overemployed . com
Leave workday on good terms and if it's shit then return
Wait how did you obtain more than 100k salary increase? Did you say your salary expectations upfront?
Told recruiter my current TC, and said I wouldn’t switch if the offer was lower. They ended up coming at me higher from the initial offer.
Thanks, im surprised they went above and beyond Usualky recruiters ask and add 5k to their offer.
You only live once. Stagnation is your personal enemy. Nobody knows how bad this recession will be, so I wouldn't pause my career for it, especially when I'm young and have minimal responsibilities. If recession is bad, workday isn't immune, either.
I’m leaning towards this mindset. Finding comfort in discomfort.
If you’re not on visa, go for it! It’s good to take risks early in career.
Your edit indeed provides the needed context. I’d go for startup in your situation. You can always come back to an established company later or survive of savings if job market really tanks. Keep in mind IT is generally stronger than overall market, especially in certain areas of country. It will be much harder to join a startup and bad WLB if you’re older, have kids, get married, etc. if you’re considering a startup at some point in your career, this is the best time.
If you are young, don’t have a lot of commitments other than work, and want to build your career, then I would go with the startup if it sounds interesting and promising. I started my career at a small startup that eventually had a successful exit, and it was invaluable experience that many of my peers could only dream of getting. Even if the startup goes to zero, which is honestly the most likely scenario, it sounds like the base salary more than makes up for it. Just be warned that this could be a fuck ton of work and responsibility and you are giving up a cushy role for the learning opportunity and small chance at making it big.
May I get a summer internship referral?
Maybe after recession.