For those starting out their careers, here are a few things that’ll serve you well: 0. Strive for happiness and WLB 1. Don’t stay in one place for more than a few years 2. Want higher TC and career growth? See 1) 3. Don’t burn bridges, don’t take work personally 4. Never stop learning new skills 5. Don’t sell your RSUs unless buying property 6. Max out your 401k and Roth (if you can) 7. Buy the biggest house you can afford 8. Save cash to last you at least 6 months 9. There’s no substitute for a loving spouse 10. Kids are a blessing TC 240, YOE 16, PhD Additional advice from more senior people are most welcome. EDIT: For 1) I specifically didn’t say company, meaning internal moves are considered not staying in one place. Also, mostly for our Indian friends (at the risk of getting some backlash): Don’t sacrifice too much of your personal health/wealth/wishes in order to always make your parents happy! All parents want the best for their kids, but what makes them happy is not necessarily what makes you happy. EDIT II: I’m truly grateful for the overwhelmingly positive responses. Thank you, Blind community! Some suggested selling RSUs and diversifying in other investments, and start saving early. Great advice. Do your homework about your company and do what works best for you. Those who joined FAANG in the 10-15 years know what I’m talking about. Some are finding the advice about buying a house a bit vague. The point is to buy a house, and if you can afford it, yes buy the biggest house. I know of plenty who complain about not having enough space, but I have never heard of anyone who complained about having too big of a house, aside from retired couples whose kids have all moved on. Some made comments about my YOE and TC. Please see 0). Also, I put 1) and 2) so you don’t make the same mistake. I have experienced many ups and downs in life. Statements about happiness, WLB, family, etc. are not to be taken lightly.
At what stage in life do you decide to buy a house? Especially if you’re not staying in one place for more than a few years?
#1 seems to imply one should not stay at Amazon for the full 4 years unless changing teams internally counts ?
If you do stay at Amazon the 4 years, you better leave the day after you get all the stock. Otherwise, you’re just losing money and sanity. I didn’t believe it until I did
1 isn't always true. If you're getting regular promotions why leave...
Point 9 is the best. Point 0 and 2 will not go together
I know what you’re getting at, but he said “strive”; one could strive for wlb and happiness while also leveraging greater TC, and career growth.
In regard to #1, do you mean a few years literally? Like, two years? Is 4 too many?
Let’s put it this way: it takes at least a year to start contributing to your company in significant ways, and more than 5 years in the same position, you’re doing the routine, time to move on.
#5 implies stock will perpetually climb. That’s BS based on my last 3 employers.
Name one stock that hasn’t gone up in the long term? There are companies that go bust for sure, but generally stocks go up! Think about all the Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple (to name the obvious) employees who were given RSUs in the last 2 decades. Assuming they kept, they’d all be millionaires! What I said applies 90+% of the time. That doesn’t make it BS advice just because you worked for 3 crappy companies. At least it’s good that you finally made the right decision and joined a decent company. Hopefully you had all your RSUs when MS bought LinkedIn and overnight the stock jumped from 120 to 185. Or who knows, perhaps you sold (based on your experience with prior companies) your RSUs before MS offered to buy LinkedIn. Ouch!
STONKS ONLY GO UP!!! Seriously just sell your RSUs and invest in a diversified portfolio. My RSUs are worth much less than what they used to be worth. Thus far, selling at vest has been my best option. If you are working at a company whose stocks are going to the moon, just stay there and wait for your RSUs to vest. Otherwise there is no reason to place your financial dependence on both the salary and RSUs given by your employer.
Why #7?
Don't agree with #1. One should move (either internally or to a different org) when you are not able to learn and apply new skills irrespective of the number of years spent at current org.
#11 don't skip leg day at the gym. calves are important
Does #1 and #2 apply if you want to climb in a FAANG company? i.e. would other FAANG companies interview/hire you for a higher level than you currently are?
See #0
47 YO here. This is great advice.
Thank you!
Ur yoe is double my age!