A caller in a live coaching session discusses dissatisfaction with their current role and seeks guidance on their next job. The podcast delves into choosing between startups and late-stage companies, exploring compensation expectations and risk tolerance. It also examines the challenges of transitioning from a management to an individual contributor role.
Consider the stage of the company, not just its name, when making a job transition.
Exploring the risks and benefits of joining big tech, including compensation and limited impact.
Deep dives
Considering stage of company in job transitions
When going through a job transition, it is important to consider the stage of the company, not just the name. Understanding what stage of company is the right fit for your specific situation can lead to a better decision.
Risk and compensation in startups
Startups are considered risky, but the caller highlights that the risk is not just about the company's success, but also about the compensation structure. Exploring what risk means for an individual, specifically related to compensation, is crucial.
The appeal and challenges of big tech companies
Big tech companies are currently appealing, but it is important to have specific reasons for wanting to join them. Longer tenure is typically required, and there may be a lack of transparency and impact due to the size of the organization.
The potential benefits of starting as an individual contributor
Starting as an individual contributor (IC) before transitioning into a management role can be a beneficial career path. It allows for a deeper understanding of the organization's processes and systems before taking on a managerial role.
In my third episode of live coaching sessions, this caller was feeling dissatisfied with their narrow scope of role and lack of cultural fit in their current company.
The caller wanted guidance on what their next role should be, given their personal situation and professional ambition. Their situation captures a difficult choice facing many superstars: seeking a sizable impact rarely found outside of startups, while also craving the compensation only late-stage companies can afford. We discuss the frameworks and strategies required to approach this career choice wisely.
Privacy is paramount for these calls, so we have anonymized the content and received permission from the caller to ensure no personal or sensitive information is disclosed. — In today's episode, we discuss:
Aligning the stage of company to your specific situation
Compensation expectations
Risk tolerance in making career moves
The risks and benefits of joining big tech
Why top product executives do tour duties at big companies
How to break a big tech tenure into two roles
Why some big tech projects are more data-driven than others
— Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear Nikhyl and other executives teach unique and timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. — Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction and caller context [00:02:17] Caller’s question [00:07:40] Nikhyl’s follow-up questions [00:10:15] Matching the stage of company to the caller’s situation [00:11:03] Nikhyl’s recommendation [00:16:56] Should I join a big tech company? [00:18:03] Nikhyl’s response [00:22:08] How do big tech product teams operate? [00:22:55] Nikhyl’s response [00:25:58] Why managers should consider IC roles at late-stage companies [00:29:44] Key takeaways from today’s episode [00:32:27] Key links for this podcast
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