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Got a random email from a supposed Amazon recruiter for a SDE position (which is not at all a fit). The email is amazon.com domain and there are no red flags in the body but it doesn't feel like an Amazon recruiter due to the tacky signature, etc. Has anyone seen this kind of cold-calling from FAANG recruiter?
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Very few people come back, there are so many jobs out there for a former consultant who is clever. Series A startup is a bit of a lottery ticket, but I’d say go for it if the salary and incentives are decent and you believe in the product. As you said, no kids or mortgage, great time to take a slight risk. Few people stay in MBB as a career, that’s why the pyramid is stable.
Not clear about “not leaving the door open” part- If you leave on good terms the door is always open :)
That being said besides the income loss you have no risk indeed
How old are you? Series A startup offers a ton of potential skill building. Take the learning curve of consulting versus corporate and it’s probably at least that versus consulting (May be multiple X). Would disagree you may be downgraded for the experience. With MBB plus that you have both the fancy strat consulting and getting things done resume. However, it’s much more risk/reward
Key things to consider
- Company culture / people. Lots of series A startups can be way more toxic. Also much more exposed to reputation risk, even if no kids and flexible. If it’s a small industry or disastrous failure ala Theranos can be a net negative explaining it on your resume for years or a gap if you leave it off (didn’t work there just an example, know people not at that company who worked at a startup that blew up in a non NY times way and it was tough)
- Lack of support. Series A you’re probably doing it all yourself unless it’s a AI company with a 200m pre seed. Even then probably doing it yourself
- Work life balance. Bain will probably seem better and also super flexible
- Macro Econ trends. Startups have been super disruptive last 10-15 years. However, generally tech seems to be consolidating to the big players. In 5-10 years there’s going to be a glut of former founders / early hires on the market if VC funding doesn’t keep growing like it has.
With the info you posted, would say if you want to build something in an area you love, totally makes sense. If you just for personal fulfillment want to get much more hands on and operational, makes sense.
If you’re doing it cause you don’t like your current job maybe pause and do a deep dive. If you want to be more entrepreneurial could make sense but really question the trade offs. Many people say that then when they’re the ones emptying the trash or equivalent. They don’t realize being more of a boss means a lot more admin and more dealing with people and agendas (now it’s just not your manager and partners and clients, it’s founders, customers, suppliers, investors). Smaller the co the more politics actually matters
Quick judgement. Based on not intending to leave the door open. You’ve not had a great experience. Worked in another prof service profession before consulting and startups after to my current gig. MBB is a lot better than most places. Do a deep DD on the series A
Thank you, this is amazing!!
I’m 29.
Culture seems good. They just got acquired by a remote-first series C but overall seems like good benefits and fun people. They have a good amount of resources for this reason. And the series C is a well-performing AI company. Fairly good outlook IMO
In the role I would be leading a function I’ve always been interested in, but I need operational experience for any established company to hire an ex consultant to this function, so it seems like a great opportunity.
Part of the reason I want to leave consulting is the grind, and the expectation of the grind, often for the sake of client management / fluffy stuff that doesnt matter. I’m ok working intensely but would rather do it on stuff that feels like it matters. I’m worried that working at a startup may be too much if a grind. I’m okay working until 5-7pm everyday and 10pm once every couple of weeks, but not 11pm all the time like consulting can be.
What other exits are on the table now?
What opportunities will want you now, but might not want you after a year or two of being at an unsuccessful startup?
Downside is
1) if you want to go back to a bigger company you might get downleveled but that’s actually mitigated with MBB on your resume (track record of working with large orgs)
2) Outside of lower cash comp initially (and subsequently opportunity cost) you’re risking career progression/ladder certainty. It’s clear what’s needed to move up in the MBB ladder, with a startup it differs by org
Overall, I’m a proponent of taking the risks while you’re younger/have fewer responsibilities. You have a strong floor to lean back on. I left B4 consulting 1 year after undergrad for a Series B startup (that’s now a late stage unicorn), great decision - got to live abroad, get operating experience, and make good money. Could be survivorship bias but worked for me
Now I’m in a similar boat deciding if I want to go Series A or go back into consulting (sounds like a backward step but a lot of context missing)
Startup opens a different path than management consulting. Assuming you’re going from MBB/strategy specialization, this gives you access to PEs and investors.
It sounds like you’re at the stage where you can be adventurous, stay curious and keep learning. And at the end of the day…it’s all about networking, anything is possible.
I think it depends on your personal risk profile. If you were talented enough to land an MBB job right out of B-school, I feel confident that you’re gonna be just fine if the startup gig doesn’t pan out.