I probably wouldn't take a pay cut at my current salary, but I would definitely settle for a lower salary ceiling. I find people have a different definition of fulfilling though, it seems to most people to he defined as work having some sort of positive impact on society, but I really just want to work on domains / problems I'm interested in.
Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
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Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#12I would probably be willing to settle for 0.75x, if needed, and depending on other benefits/ factors (e.g. if I would receive multiple job offers at the same time etc.).
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#13I already do something I like, so not much. That said, a FAANG or bank would pay twice as much, at least. And I’ve deliberately avoided that out of preference for startups. So perhaps in that sense I’ve already taken a 50% cut. And only regret it when looking at time-to-retirement projections.
What bank would pay close to a FAANG? Goldman is the only one that I think could come close at the junior levels, but once you reach senior or above, I doubt any can.
Maybe for some elite (and pretty rare) roles in niches like algo trading, but I doubt the typical bank developer job pays as well as FAANG or other top tier tech companies.
Some elite hedge funds or prop trading shops could match or even vastly exceed FAANG comp, but then again, those jobs are both pretty rare, and their interviews can be difficult enough to make FAANG interviews look easy.
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#14I work at an investment bank as a senior SWE. I'd take a paycut to work at a FAANG or other upper-mid to top tech company. In fact, I'd be ecstatic to join such a company as a junior or mid engineer - and the paycut (if there would be any at all) would probably be very minor. Meanwhile the long term benefits (monetary, skill, and career) would probably be far superior.
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#15What parts to you find fulfilling? One approach would be to assign a value to aspects of a job you find fulfilling. This could include things like a short commute, casual dress, flex hours, remote work, low politics, good/smart coworkers, and challenging projects. For some challenging projects may be worth a lot, for others remote work to be with family could have the highest value.
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#16I have a family to support, so I can't afford any pay cut.
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#17Just stack the money and invest it.
I'm betting my retirement account in the market. Either I can retire someday or i will be in the bread lines.
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#18I already do something I like, so not much. That said, a FAANG or bank would pay twice as much, at least. And I’ve deliberately avoided that out of preference for startups. So perhaps in that sense I’ve already taken a 50% cut. And only regret it when looking at time-to-retirement projections.
What bank would pay close to a FAANG? Goldman is the only one that I think could come close at the junior levels, but once you reach senior or above, I doubt any can. Maybe for some elite (and pretty rare) roles in niches like algo trading, but I doubt the typical bank developer job pays as well as FAANG or other top tier tech companies. Some elite hedge funds or prop trading shops could match or even vastly exceed F…
For management roles
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#19I work at an investment bank as a senior SWE. I'd take a paycut to work at a FAANG or other upper-mid to top tech company. In fact, I'd be ecstatic to join such a company as a junior or mid engineer - and the paycut (if there would be any at all) would probably be very minor. Meanwhile the long term benefits (monetary, skill, and career) would probably be far superior.
this seems pretty doable - why haven't you made this move yet?
Re: Ask HN: How much of pay cut would you take for a more fulfilling job?
#20I work at an investment bank as a senior SWE. I'd take a paycut to work at a FAANG or other upper-mid to top tech company. In fact, I'd be ecstatic to join such a company as a junior or mid engineer - and the paycut (if there would be any at all) would probably be very minor. Meanwhile the long term benefits (monetary, skill, and career) would probably be far superior.
this seems pretty doable - why haven't you made this move yet?
Short answer would be: leetcode interviews. I've tried and failed 3 of the FAANGs so far (though did come close at one), and 1 of the top tier unicorns.
Slightly longer answer would also include the fact that many tech companies don't seem to want to look at someone like me for junior/mid roles. So I'm forced to compete with other seniors. And let's face it, a senior SWE at a bank or many other non-tech companies is not the equivalent of a senior SWE at a FAANG or other tech company.