If you could choose an HR job opportunity at a tech startup with $120K or a an International bank with $90K but a long term career prospects which would you choose? I'm struggling with loving being able to make a difference in a start up environment but also want lateral development (and long term growth potential) in a large organization. Willing to take the pay decrease (I'm at $130K now) but confused which direction to go in.

Would love your take on things. TIA!

Why settle for either if they are both reductions to your current compensation. It's a job seekers market keep looking for an opportunity that fits everything you want career and compensation.

That’s a big pay decrease. I probably wouldn’t be comfortable with that as it’ll take you a while to recoup. Just remember that with most companies, annual increase are minimal. The bank sounds like a better opportunity but the pay decrease would be a hard no for me. I think if it’s 5k or so decrease that’s fine but 40k is a lot

A few thoughts:

1- If you asked a man, he would say no to both. Don’t take a pay decrease. Upward and forward!!! Or at least negotiate to get the same salary. Keep looking for the best opportunity if you can still tolerate the job you are in. You deserve to find all that you want: salary, development opportunity (lateral, vertical and all the in between learning opportunities) and have an impact.

2- If both opportunities were at 130K, which would you choose and why ?

3- you will learn no matter where you go next.

4- go back to the basics: what are your values, and which opportunity (role, company, manager, team, mission, etc) aligns most/best with your values?

5- do you have more questions to ask them? Have you discussed career path?

6- if they loved you as a candidate they have to make the offer attractive enough to get you, but you have to communicate what you will need/expect.

Hope this helps!

Personally, I’m leaning towards the International bank opportunity because you’ll benefit from having more lateral development, then you can go to a startup in the future to be able to make a difference

My question would first be - what are your motivations for leaving your current company right now? Are you not seeing any additional growth at your current company? And what size company are you currently at?

My two cents:
I currently work at a tech startup and love it - you get to be your own boss in a way and I feel make a much larger impact on the company as a whole, but it can be a bit overwhelming because there are SO MANY projects and directions that could lead to creating an impact. There is also a lack of mentoring within my company that I miss. It makes it harder to grow because you very much so have to be your own champion internally and externally.

I would also say “startup” can mean soooo many things. Salesloft is still considered a “startup” but has 1000+ employees, has been around 10+ years, and is considered a “startup unicorn.” Meanwhile, most people hear “startup” and think 1-2 years in business and still series A funding. Work environment is totally different in those 2. Which does the company you are looking at fall into?

I would keep looking. There is no reason to take a pay cut in this job market.

Working in a bank is not 100% safe, things change very quickly: there are mergers and also headcount reductions every time … I would keep my current job with a good salary and wait for something better ;)

Why are you taking a decrease in pay… it’s a candidates market. I would choose the tech company - you can alway circle back to banking in the future but I doubt you would after working in tech and seeing the money you can make .

Having done both its a personal choice - is stability most important? Then bank job. Are you looking for a constantly changing environment where you can test new ideas? Then tech start up. They're very different experiences and give you different things but great that you have options!

I would walk away from both or ask the tech startup to match your current salary. It’s an employee market !

Not sure if you’re comparing base salaries or if this is “all-in” (equity, shares, bonuses etc.)? But while startups can be more chaotic/unstable, banks (and HR in banks especially) aren’t exactly paragons of long-term stability. There are some great replies above, but the bank option seems a bit like a non-starter, given the huge financial dip.

That's too high of a pay cut for me, I would try to at least get a higher offer. Maybe ask if the 90k could at least be 105-110?

At a tech startup, you'll be much more agile and progressive compared to a bank with so much red tape and politics. If you want to be a forward-thinking HR professional, a bank is not where I would go. You'll be able to make more changes, much faster, and learn at a higher velocity at a startup. But as others said, I wouldn't settle for a pay decrease in this market.

Took a 30k paycut to work at a company where I have more opportunity to grow and quite frankly has way better approach to work-life balance and integration. I’ll be back at my total como within two years. Easily best decision I’ve made for my career and well-being.

OP - is there an update?