Discussion in https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23563997 seemed to center around staying vs. switching jobs as a Software Engineer. So, let's hear it. It's common knowledge that you can make more money by switching jobs vs. accepting small percentage raises at your current job. So why are you staying?
Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
1–10 of 34 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#2I can work fully remote, no bullshit meetings ever. 1 or 2 phone calls a week (15-45min), otherwise I can work on with no interruptions.
Pretty hard to do better I guess
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#3Because it's not only a matter of salary, you have to put "all in the balance" when considering a potential move. Personally, I was giving a lot of value to the mobility within the company.
I started as a computer scientist in a bank and became a trader a couple of years later.
Outside of my company, it would not have been possible because I didn't study finance.
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#4Based on your argument — taking it to an absurd extreme — you’d never stay in a job and be perpetually changing.
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#5Because it's not only a matter of salary, you have to put "all in the balance" when considering a potential move. Personally, I was giving a lot of value to the mobility within the company. I started as a computer scientist in a bank and became a trader a couple of years later. Outside of my company, it would not have been possible because I didn't study finance.
Was it hard to convince them to give you that chance?
Some companies seem to prefer to hire from the outside rather than to give the chance to someone internally.
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#6I can work fully remote, no bullshit meetings ever. 1 or 2 phone calls a week (15-45min), otherwise I can work on with no interruptions. Pretty hard to do better I guess
Congratulations :)
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#7Because I can't.
There aren't a ton of open positions in my area right now.
I've been in obscure/obsolete tech for too long (neoxam and filenet).
I have a family to support, so I need the pay and benefits.
Otherwise, I would probably leave tech for something like construction. I'm tired of the unrealistic expectations.
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#8Because it's not only a matter of salary, you have to put "all in the balance" when considering a potential move. Personally, I was giving a lot of value to the mobility within the company. I started as a computer scientist in a bank and became a trader a couple of years later. Outside of my company, it would not have been possible because I didn't study finance.
I was looking to do that a couple years ago, but decided to stay with tech. I would have been a trader analyst and then have the option to be a trader if a position opened. I'd love to be a day trader working for myself, but I don't have the capital and don't feel comfortable with margin.
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#9I don't think this is true forever. I've doubled my salary in my first five years in my career through job changes, but I don't think I can do it again. I guess I have one more 20k jump (if I'm lucky) and then I will have maxed out the salary for my position and market.
Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?
#10Because I've been in my career for 20 years and am in a good place. I have moved jobs, a lot.
What I wish I knew back then was that being "staff" could (and likely should) be carried over to the next company.