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What is a good salary for a director in NY?
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Base pay every time. Equity doesn't mean much to me anymore, been burned too many times.
In this economy, startups can be a very scary thing. If I were you I would go with the sure thing. If you find the startup starts blowing up and becoming incredibly successful you can always apply again because if they wanted you once they will want you again. Startups are grind because they expect everyone to take on multiple roles and where many hats. This is regardless of your position and only my personal experience. Go with your gut. And good luck to you whatever choice you decide to make!
I'd personally take the corporate job. I don't know what the start up is and wouldn't roll the dice on equity in it unless I had very good reason to think it'd actually be worth something down the road. Without any more info, higher salary is the easy choice for me.
Mentor
Those are good things to consider. Thank you
I did this choice years ago, took the start-up route and regret it. Startups are a grind for the C-suite to profit. I suggest you take the path that you can see yourself doing financially and physically well a few years into the job role.
Mentor
I hadn’t thought about the harder grind. Thanks I’ll consider the work life balance
If you’re analyst level, take the corporate job. You’ll probably meet better mentors, and the equity at a start up is rarely worth anything. Wait until you have more money before you roll the dice
Mentor
Good points! I would have to agree
Equity is usually a facade in start ups. Only a handful get to IPO stage. The corporate is better for now. All the best.
Mentor
Thank you! I’ll take this info into consideration!
Great question and deeply personal - my experience is what do you value most at this stage in your career; pay or learning?
I've had a great experience with both start-ups and corporate (your mileage may vary). Start ups offered a crash course in up-skilling, generalist skillsets and the ability to network. All valuable transferable skills to pivot in leadership.
But, if you're a seasoned professional or executive, and comp is the most important factor - then likely corporate. Your autonomy is more rigid, your scope is better defined and your reach across the business is less diverse than a start-up. higher pay and more focused.
As others mentioned, equity is a mixed bag. I know folks who've retired from it and others who've walked away from it. Money isn't everything - but you need it to support your lifestyle.
I've also seen start up salaries grow - significantly - as the business scales, and is sold or acquired.
Mentor
Thanks for the added comment. It seems much more complicated to go with a start up. I’ll consider that when deciding!
Are you >25? Do you have a family?
At most 10% of startups exit. If they lay you off, you will either have to pony up $ to exercise and hold, or abandon that equity. Say you spend $20k to exercise, and they never exit.
The corporate job is for grownups.
Senior Manager 4.
If all else was equal, which role has the job responsibilities that you prefer? This doesn't count for your entire decision, but is something to consider.
Mentor
For me it depends more about what you are solving for. Long term career versus salary versus work you enjoy etc
I would ask myself 1 question.
Can I help make this startup into a global player?
If yes go for the startup if no stay safe my friend.
Most startups fail so the equity is worthless
I consciously choose corporate job. I had to be start up employee and it don't worth it any time. equity just will be works if you are the one of the founder.