Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#1

Post by caddar » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 4:25 AM UTC

I graduated from college last December, but have been working as a software developer at various companies since I was 17. Last summer I was Developer #2 at a startup, then in the fall I was hired part-time for a tech company you've heard of (a startup five years ago; IPOed fairly recently) and transitioned to full-time four weeks ago.

Things could be better (and better-managed), and I'm anxious to work full-time on a startup (currently doing 2 hours every morning on the side), but overall it's a good job and a good experience and I thought it'd be educational to be here at least until early next year. However, the other day I got a LinkedIn message from a recruiter for a local startup that's raised gads of cash and is already drawing a lot of revenue. He said I sounded like a good fit, and he really wanted to interview me (according to TechCrunch they're hiring three people a week). I make $75K + about $50K of RSU now, but he was offering up to $150K and other really nice benefits. And I'd probably be happier working for a startup than a larger company (but they have enough employees that I'd still get the mentorship I was looking for).

I responded and said it sounded great but it was a really bad time since I'd just started my current job. And he responded encouraging me to interview anyway and see where things led.

I am an at-will employee, so in theory I could skip out, but I'd feel like a giant douchebag if I did so. On the other hand, if everything pans out (I'm not being deceived by slimy recruiter tactics; they accept me; I like the company...) it's a really great opportunity. I'm happy to answer any other questions.

What would you recommend?

Thanks

[HN user for a long time; throwaway for obvious reasons]

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#2

Post by throwaway420 » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 4:29 AM UTC

If you're very early in your career, you probably haven't learned that most companies are very disloyal even to people that show them extreme loyalty. You owe an employer nothing other than giving 100% of your effort for your time there. Unless there is something about this current job that you really, really love, it would be (IMO) pretty foolish to turn down double the salary. I would at least interview with them and see if they are serious about it.

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#3

Post by a3voices » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 4:32 AM UTC

throwaway420 wrote: post #2

If you're very early in your career, you probably haven't learned that most companies are very disloyal even to people that show them extreme loyalty. You owe an employer nothing other than giving 100% of your effort for your time there. Unless there is something about this current job that you really, really love, it would be (IMO) pretty foolish to turn down double the salary. I would at least interview with them a…

> You owe an employer nothing other than giving 100% of your effort for your time there

I disagree. You don't owe your employer anything.

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#4

Post by Bahamut » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 4:32 AM UTC

I don't think anyone here can answer that question but you. I can sympathize though, as I am in a similar boat, although not as quick of a turnaround. I too hate switching jobs, it feels like a betrayal.

However, you should look out for yourself most of all. Does the extra income matter that much for you? Is it good for your career? What are the pros & cons of this new potential employer (commute, line of business, work environment, etc.)?

It's a difficult question, but one you have to come to terms with.

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#5

Post by pedalpete » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 5:16 AM UTC

The recruiter is right, it can't hurt to interview. Find out more about the company, find out if you think it would be a good fit for what you're looking for.

If they offer you the job, you've got three options. 1) take it and leave your current employer 2) keep your current job and pretend you never interviewed 3) (if you still are unsure about leaving) tell your current employer about the offer you've been made (you may not be allowed to give details, but you can give enough) and see if they counter offer.

Then, you can make an informed decision.

I think (and hope) you'll find your current employer very accommodating. If another start-up is offering you double the salary, your current employer should know they are getting a heck of a deal with you. They also likely know that 'deal' wouldn't last forever.

Or maybe they won't want to offer you more, and just expect you to stick with them for other reasons. Who knows, but you'll never find out unless you dip a foot in to test the temperature.

I hadn't done this before last year, and I have to admit, it does feel strange talking to a potential new employer while somebody else is currently employing you, but this is the new nature of the game. Your current employer (likely) doesn't expect you to stick around forever. Doesn't mean they don't care about you, they just know the reality.

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#6

Post by robbiea » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 5:22 AM UTC

Agree with all the comments so far. Take the interview, build great relationships with the people that you are interviewing with.

The good news is that you've only been on the job for a month, so if you do take the new job you won't look like a job hopper considering you won't even list this as a job.

As everyone said. Look out after yourself first and foremost. Don't burn any bridges with current employer either if you do decide to move on.

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#7

Post by justintocci » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 5:23 AM UTC

I worked a job over six years. I made them a lot of money over that time. One day a middle manager walked me to the HR office and then out the door. No severence, nothing. Loyalty and security are an illusion.

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#8

Post by Oculus » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 5:29 AM UTC

pedalpete wrote: post #5

The recruiter is right, it can't hurt to interview. Find out more about the company, find out if you think it would be a good fit for what you're looking for. If they offer you the job, you've got three options. 1) take it and leave your current employer 2) keep your current job and pretend you never interviewed 3) (if you still are unsure about leaving) tell your current employer about the offer you've been made (yo…

I agree with everything you said except for the third option:

> tell your current employer about the offer you've been made ... and see if they counter offer.

That seems like it would come off as worse than taking the new job. If I was OP's current company I'd see that as 'not only did you shop around first couple weeks here, but you're now rubbing it in our faces and expecting us to reward you.'

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#9

Post by mlh » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 6:05 AM UTC

interview ... any reasonable employer will understand your leaving for a much better income. If they have a bad reaction, you're also better off somewhere else. After you receive a firm offer, be honest with your current employer. They may take the opportunity to counter. "I'm really sorry about the bad timing, but I'd be crazy to turn down an offer like this."

Re: Ask HN: One month into dev job and I'm recruited for one with twice the salary

#10

Post by pedalpete » Tue, Feb 11, 2014, 6:35 AM UTC

Oculus wrote: post #8

pedalpete wrote: post #5

The recruiter is right, it can't hurt to interview. Find out more about the company, find out if you think it would be a good fit for what you're looking for. If they offer you the job, you've got three options. 1) take it and leave your current employer 2) keep your current job and pretend you never interviewed 3) (if you still are unsure about leaving) tell your current employer about the offer you've been made (yo…

I agree with everything you said except for the third option: > tell your current employer about the offer you've been made ... and see if they counter offer. That seems like it would come off as worse than taking the new job. If I was OP's current company I'd see that as 'not only did you shop around first couple weeks here, but you're now rubbing it in our faces and expecting us to reward you.'

I think it could possibly be handled better than that. I'd suggest that if the OP decides they would like to stay at the current employer, but only if the current employer offers what the employee feels they are worth (or if the employee wants more than they are currently getting), they could very politely say

"Listen, I really like working here, I like that you guys do x,y,z, that I have the option to learn from/about/with.. whatever, but I've just had a great offer from Acme company, and I was going to take it, but wanted to talk to you guys about it before I accept."

That way the company understands why the person is leaving, that they haven't agreed to leave yet, it is in the employers hands to keep the employee if they want to.

We have a fairly small industry (and even if we didn't) you're going to be running into the same people again and again though your career. Neither side should be hurt in this. It's a business proposition. Friendships don't have to end, cooperation doesn't even have to end. MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT LEAVING YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER IN THE LURCH. Give them time for you to clean-up what you're working on and get it in a good state, etc. etc.

As long as you're professional (and the OP's original posts suggests he is professional and courteous), the current employer shouldn't take it as anything but.