My Own Experience With SF Bay Area Tech Jobs
Hello Everyone,
Very interesting thread and one that I have been thinking about in the back of my mind. I also live in the SF Bay Area like the original poster and have also been contemplating a career move to a similar position for a higher salary. Below are a list of factors that I have personally been thinking through, to add to the already really great discussion:
1. Are you on Linked In? I am on this professional social networking site. While I used to get job offers every week, I am now getting only a few a month. I believe the job market is slowing down here in the Bay Area even though it's still relatively strong. Something to think about in terms of security. If you have been at a company for a while, and have a great reputation, they're less likely to lay you off than if you are the new person. You may potentially have more job security at your current job. I foresee the market getting a little softer over the coming years because of the overall economy.
2. Are you happy? I really struggle to be happy at my job. I have made it 1.5 years and the main thing that keeps me going are the desire to keep my steady income because I'm looking to buy my first house and also the huge amount of stock options I have. If I leave, I don't have enough money to exercise all of the stock options that I have vested which I believe will really be worth something a few years down the road (unless I sacrifice my down payment fund which I'm not willing to do). In short, I'm willing to trade my quality of life in the short run for money. Is this the smart thing to do? I would say not. Life is short and it's very hard to "leave" work when I go home and have the weight of the world on my shoulders.
3. Don't get enticed with "bonuses" or "commissions". I have a huge commission potential but have not seen much of it because of the softening economy. If a larger percent of your comp is based on commissions, you may not actually see a net increase if you don't get the commission.
4. You are young. If you don't have a mortgage and have the ability to be flexible, now is the time! As stated earlier, life is short and it's all about you. Your current employer cannot look out for your interests like you can. At the end of the day, you need to do what is best for you. This is where everything goes out the window and I personally may put my arguments above aside to run for the hills myself!
Best wishes and Good luck! :-)
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