Settle or keep grinding LC after yearlong sabbatical

New / Eng
Tinamou

New Eng

Tinamou
Dec 31, 2021 19 Comments

I took a sabbatical in early 2021 and left a job making $170k.

Now back in the market and after ~3 weeks of interviewing at low/mid tier startups I've received 4 offers all in the $150-$190k base range. I'm discounting all the equity packages as none of these companies have a realistic chance at an exit within the next 4-5 years.

I'm 4/5 in interviews so far coming in absolutely cold. I got lucky in that two were take home projects that I always excel at, one was coin change which I used to give as an interviewer so knew inside out, and one was binary search easy.

I'm just getting back into the LC grind after nearly 6 months of not coding. I've done about 25 problems so far. Struggling but getting better every day. System Design I've always been good on and have breezed through these interviews.

Not in a huge rush to get back to work but $190k for such little effort so far seems like a good deal.

The other scenario is I spend a few more weeks grinding and apply to top tier startups and potentially get rejected.

I'm reminded by that saying "A bird in one hand is worth two in the bush..." Any thoughts?

Previous TC: $170k
YOE: 6-7

#tech

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TOP 19 Comments
  • New
    PIRi51

    New

    PIRi51
    Keep grinding. You can double those offers easy at the right company
    Dec 31, 2021 1
  • Intuit
    MEMESBRUH

    Go to company page Intuit

    MEMESBRUH
    What location? 6-7 yoe should get you 350 minimum in high CoL.
    Dec 31, 2021 3
    • New / Eng
      Tinamou

      New Eng

      Tinamou
      OP
      Damn 350 minimum. I'm really selling my self short...

      I'm assuming thats ~200 base + 150 real equity
      Dec 31, 2021
    • Intuit
      MEMESBRUH

      Go to company page Intuit

      MEMESBRUH
      Around that yeah. This is mostly big tech companies tho. Startups will be lower. Def aim for higher tho.
      Dec 31, 2021
  • New
    JTfX47

    New

    JTfX47
    Nothing to worry πŸ˜€ I had friends that toke time off and found new jobs with no issues with much higher TC. unless you are taking 2+ years off
    Dec 31, 2021 6
    • New
      JTfX47

      New

      JTfX47
      Nope, taking a year off with 4 months left before I will be looking
      Dec 31, 2021
    • Amazon / Product
      beaver

      Go to company page Amazon Product

      PRE
      Amazon
      beaver
      Again. Got it
      Dec 31, 2021
  • New
    JTfX47

    New

    JTfX47
    Keep grinding. I am on a long leave myself and started to grind. Getting much easier now after 300 LC.
    Dec 31, 2021 2
    • New / Eng
      Tinamou

      New Eng

      Tinamou
      OP
      How are recruiters when they ask about the gap?

      I've had an easy time talking around it.
      Dec 31, 2021
    • New
      JTfX47

      New

      JTfX47
      The truth. Taking sometime off to relax and travel. They don't care.
      Dec 31, 2021
  • Amazon / Product
    beaver

    Go to company page Amazon Product

    PRE
    Amazon
    beaver
    Nothing to add here, but I wanted to know how you are dealing with the gap. I've been meaning to take time off but I'm worried about the gap in resume.
    Dec 31, 2021 2
    • New / Eng
      Tinamou

      New Eng

      Tinamou
      OP
      Around 6 months into my sabbatical I was still fending off recruiters almost weekly.

      I'm now 10 months into my sabbatical and a lot of inbound has slowed. I'm not finding it hard to get that first phone call though with my resume. And from recruiter to tech screen I've had a 100% success rate. Helps if you're personable.
      Dec 31, 2021
    • Amazon / Product
      beaver

      Go to company page Amazon Product

      PRE
      Amazon
      beaver
      Got it. Thanks
      Dec 31, 2021