“They’re paying 20% less cash than I was making at Salesforce. This start-up feels like a step-down.”
That’s the reality for many (including FZ Members) who got caught up in the tech layoffs.
But I’d argue trading cash for experience could be your best career move.
Why?
First, think about your role at a big tech company.
It’s very specific. Your job goes very deep in one area, but you get little exposure to other departments.
Leadership tries to tie your KPIs to the broader mission, but you can only really see the impact a couple of levels above you.
The skills set you acquired is only transferable to a similar role at another company, but changing roles in any meaningful way would be difficult.
Now think about your role at a start-up.
Your responsibilities are pretty darn broad. (And the smaller the employee base, the broader they get.)
Your impact on the mission is direct and very obvious.
And most importantly, you acquire a BUSINESS skills set, not just a ROLE skills set. You don’t just see, but actively participate in how product ties to marketing ties to sales ties to finance ties to recruiting ties to funding.
The skills set you acquire at a start-up is more valuable to future employers AND grows faster.
For instance, I would MUCH rather hire a financial planner who worked at a small firm or started their own firm.
They would bring outsized value from the exposure they had to what it takes to run a business, not just perform a role.
Now don’t get me wrong, all start-ups are not created equal. Culture and work-life balance can be great or just awful depending on the company, so interview carefully.
That said, I wouldn’t dismiss trading cash for experience (and equity that MAYBE might be worth something someday).
Trading a bigger paycheck for a broader skill set might just be your ticket to even greater long-term success.
