In your FiveYearItch.com signup, did you specify the crucial requirements that you need to succeed: Top colleagues, flat hierarchy, passing the Joel Test? If so, and if they can guarantee you that, go for it!
Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
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Re: Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
#12In your FiveYearItch.com signup, did you specify the crucial requirements that you need to succeed: Top colleagues, flat hierarchy, passing the Joel Test? If so, and if they can guarantee you that, go for it!
Yes, absolutely, I specified those things and more in my FiveYearItch profile, and at least on that score it's been good -- some employers apparently don't want to contact me if they think I'm asking for too much :-) but the ones who do make offers are all quite serious.
Re: Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
#13I just took a pay cut for a new job and I'm loving it (however, the pay cut is more about the region I moved to having lower pay overall). If you spend 8+ hours a day in the place, you should really enjoy it. However, as another poster said, think hard about whether the new job is good for your future, especially if you are taking a less important position.
Re: Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
#14Go for it! If there's nothing holding you in the Midwest, take the offer, learn, grow, and come back later if you want.
Such a small percentage of the industry rocks like most hot SF startups rock. Take the opportunity.
Re: Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
#15I just took a pay cut for a new job and I'm loving it (however, the pay cut is more about the region I moved to having lower pay overall). If you spend 8+ hours a day in the place, you should really enjoy it. However, as another poster said, think hard about whether the new job is good for your future, especially if you are taking a less important position.
You pretty much have to enjoy you job to have a successful career. But having a successful career is very important to opening up opportunities for jobs you can enjoy.
Re: Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
#16If I were you, yes. But a question to ask is... Are you willing to sacrifice? It might be a short term sacrifice. Because maybe after few months or a year, the startup will be acquired or became a hit. We don't know. Also, do you have family? If you have, maybe consider to ask them first. When joining a startup, I always said to myself that it's not about the money. It's about the value (experience, learnings, etc.)…
It's a question of where her/his life is going. You gonna rock with the startups or sleep with the services shops?
Re: Ask HN: Should I take a downgrade to work in a better company?
#17I have done that myself, and have seen it paying me much higher in the longer run (read an year). Tech firms may offer less to start with, but once they recognize your skill-set, there is no looking back.
Best of luck.