Should I leave my current company for a startup
Hey everyone, I need some advice!
I’m currently working as a SWE at a large, non-tech corporate company, with a little over 2 years of SWE experience. I don’t have a CS degree—I made an internal pivot to SWE—and while life is extremely comfortable right now, I’ve been actively trying to leave my current role.
Since I have a lot of time on my hands (I work just about 3-4h a day in my day job), I’ve been working on side projects and doing some freelance work to upskill. These efforts have paid off to some extent, as I’ve started landing interviews after months of no traction in a tough job market. However, I feel like my growth through these side efforts has plateaued recently. I have also been doing Leetcode and system design, and though I have improved a lot, I don’t think I am sufficiently proficient and will still need more practice.
In the past few weeks, I came across an opportunity at an early-stage AI startup that I’m genuinely excited about. After going through their interview process, I’ve made it to the offer stage. The startup is YC-backed, and the founder mentioned they have a 2+ year runway. However, the offer would require me to take a slight pay cut in terms of cash compensation. While the total compensation (including stock options) would be similar or slightly higher than what I’m earning now, the cash portion would be lower.
I’m really interested in their product (especially the AI parts) and the potential learning opportunities, but the compensation is holding me back. If I do decide to join, I don’t plan to stay for very long—probably just 6 to 12 months. Would this short tenure be a red flag for recruiters down the line? Or would the experience at a startup add enough value to my CV to outweigh that? Should I trade all this free time that could be spent on Leetcode/ system design/ side projects and comfort with something that is unknown and potentially way longer hours?
For context, this would be my first job move, as I’ve only ever worked at one company so far.
Please help!
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Discussion
(8 comments)- 3
a month agoLeading the Platform Team at Taulia, part of SAPAs Elliot mentions below, if you plan to leave in less than a year, nothing from your options may vest. So, you may need to consider only the cash portion of the compensation.
Though I am curious as to why you are thinking about leaving in 6–12 months, if you are excited in the AI parts of the product.- 1a month agoJunior Software EngineerTaro Community
I think here's how I would frame it - I'll want to continue interviewing even after I join this startup, so there's a possibility that I won't stay for long if a better opportunity arises (but this is also hypothetical, if I really like the work and the environment I will be more inclined to stay). And I was just concerned that a short tenure might be a red flag to recruiters.... what are your thoughts of continuing actively interviewing even after joining a new company?
- 223 days agoLeading the Platform Team at Taulia, part of SAP
A short tenure once may not be much of a red flag, if you have a good reason to change (for ex, work was not what you were told, not a culture fit, etc.). If you change jobs multiple times every few months, that may be a red flag. You want to not make it a pattern.
I have seen people leave jobs within the first few months, if they received a better opportunity. Sometimes, it might just be that the interview and offer process took a long time, or the process was ongoing as you started at the new company.When you join a new company, it will take you time to onboard and understand the systems, tech stack, etc. It takes a few months until you can start contributing significantly.
The impression you make during the initial period will also go a long way. Starting positively and demonstrating small impact sooner will help you build credibility and trust quicker.
You may come to know within the initial few months, if you like the job/environment or not. If not, it is better to leave sooner than later.Continuing to interview is your choice. I do not know how easy or difficult it might be to balance ramp up in the new role and continue interviewing.
The responsibility for your career and growth is with you, not the company. The decision to continue interviewing or not is for you to make. I would just suggest having clarity with the choice you make.If you leave, you want to ensure you do not burn bridges.
- 2
a month agoAI/ML Eng @ Series C startupIf it's generative AI, I'd wait until they're slightly later like Series B or C. There's so many knockoff GenAI companies that they're extremely unpredictable right now.
YC-backed doesn't mean anything these days, as YC is now shovelling out AI startups like there's no tomorrow. If you don't plan to stay longer than a year, your shares won't vest anyway so I would just go somewhere else with the plan to stay at least 1-2 years.
I wouldn't trade the free time, as you could be sharpening your skills on your own time and not someone else's. That said, it requires more discipline than when you're a busy employee.
- 0a month agoJunior Software EngineerTaro Community
Yeah my concern is also the free time, I am afraid I will regret it. But what’s pushing me to do take this is also that I feel I’ve already maximised my free time to do whatever I can, not sure if that makes sense. And I feel that staying on in my current place is just causing me to stagnate.
For some context, I’ve been living in this extremely comfortable state for a year or so.
- 1a month agoAI/ML Eng @ Series C startup
Ah I see. Then yeah maybe it would be better to work under someone with much more experience for a bit. You can always calibrate your work-life balance up or down as you progress.
I'm also on the extreme WLB end right now, went on 3 trips in the past 2 months aha
- 0
a month agoThoughtful TarodactylTaro CommunityI would take it, but make sure to always remain interview ready and keep your leetcode skills warm as startups are super risky. Are you getting interviews/offers elsewhere?
- 0a month agoJunior Software EngineerTaro Community
I got an offer a while back, but rejected that as compensation was just slightly higher than my current, and it was to yet another large non tech company (and probably filled w the same red tape that I am experiencing). I paused job hunting over the holidays in Nov and Dec and only recently resumed this month.
agree about keeping interview skills warm. My concern is would it reflect badly if I were to leave this startup within 6-12months and be seen as a job hopper? I really don’t know how long I will stay, haha, but the push factors to leave my current place is quite strong despite the insane amount of comfort… I don’t know if I am being dumb
