Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#1

Post by bugsliker » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 6:29 PM UTC

I work at a company that rhymes with "frugal". I've done really well here and gotten promoted to senior SWE. My work has tons of impact. My team is a pretty healthy environment compared to the rest of the company, all things considered.

But now I'm struggling to find motivation to do my work. I have absolutely no interest in leading a team, but senior members in my org keep trying to groom me into a TL. I like being an IC and building what I'm told to build; I have no idea how to decide what it is we should be building and don't want to deal with customer demands.

What I feel like I'd really rather do is quit and join a team working on something low stakes. Somewhere where I can put the minimum effort and still impress. I think this would be better for my mental health.

But it's a hard pill to give up the FAANG compensation. Also being stuck in a NIH company has atrophied my "real world" tech stack knowledge, so it's harder to market myself (especially now that the job market is saturated with laid off SWEs).

Any advice for jumping ship from FAANG?

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#2

Post by minimaxir » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 6:37 PM UTC

Have savings.

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#3

Post by jstx1 » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 6:43 PM UTC

Move to a similar company as an IC - you'll get a change of scenery without giving up the high compensation.

What's NIH?

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#4

Post by bugsliker » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 6:44 PM UTC

jstx1 wrote: post #3

Move to a similar company as an IC - you'll get a change of scenery without giving up the high compensation. What's NIH?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_invented_here

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#5

Post by ss108 » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 6:45 PM UTC

You want to exit big tech, but don't want to give up the comp? I think you may have to make a tough choice.

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#6

Post by bugsliker » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 6:51 PM UTC

ss108 wrote: post #5

You want to exit big tech, but don't want to give up the comp? I think you may have to make a tough choice.

I know I'll have to give up the comp but like you say, it's a tough choice. Mostly looking to see how others have rationalized this choice.

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#7

Post by gamedna » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 7:39 PM UTC

depression

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#8

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 7:42 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#9

Post by killingtime74 » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 7:43 PM UTC

bugsliker wrote: post #6

ss108 wrote: post #5

You want to exit big tech, but don't want to give up the comp? I think you may have to make a tough choice.

I know I'll have to give up the comp but like you say, it's a tough choice. Mostly looking to see how others have rationalized this choice.

Just treat it (TL) as a job and have external hobbies that you really have passion for. Or perhaps do less days a week and spend time on things you have passion for. The comp can really make a big difference when you are older and retired

Re: Ask HN: How to Exit FAANG?

#10

Post by fatnoah » Thu, Feb 16, 2023, 7:43 PM UTC

Meh, just go to a start-up. I went from startups to big tech, including a name that rhymes with "feta", and am back at startups. It's been a compensation roller coaster going from +360% to -68% over 6 years, but I have so much more energy and am making a substantial impact.