Would you take a career step back for double the pay?

[Anonymous]

Would you move to a job with significantly less responsibility that looks like a career step back if it paid double?

I currently work at a large tech company at the director level. I lead a team of managers and individual contributors with about 25 people in my overall organization, including two direct manager reports.

I was recently contacted by an even larger tech company about a role that is a first line manager position with no manager reports. On paper, it is clearly a step down in scope and responsibility, but the compensation is nearly double what I make now.

I am genuinely happy in my current role, and both companies have strong brand recognition.

The new position all in would pay close to 1m/year, but I feel uneasy about a few things. One concern is whether a role like this would be among the first to be cut if things went south.

Throughout my 20+ year career, I have consistently pushed myself into uncomfortable reports and often taken on more responsibility than my peers. That approach has paid off so far. I have never been laid off or fired, but on paper I look overextended compared to others at similar career stages.

Would you seriously consider making this move, even if it appears to be a step back career wise?

[Anonymous]

I cannot imagine a tech company paying that much but yes.

[Anonymous]

Likely, since less responsibility for double the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you move to a job with significantly less responsibility that looks like a career step back if it paid double?

I currently work at a large tech company at the director level. I lead a team of managers and individual contributors with about 25 people in my overall organization, including two direct manager reports.

I was recently contacted by an even larger tech company about a role that is a first line manager position with no manager reports. On paper, it is clearly a step down in scope and responsibility, but the compensation is nearly double what I make now.

I am genuinely happy in my current role, and both companies have strong brand recognition.

The new position all in would pay close to 1m/year, but I feel uneasy about a few things. One concern is whether a role like this would be among the first to be cut if things went south.

Throughout my 20+ year career, I have consistently pushed myself into uncomfortable reports and often taken on more responsibility than my peers. That approach has paid off so far. I have never been laid off or fired, but on paper I look overextended compared to others at similar career stages.

Would you seriously consider making this move, even if it appears to be a step back career wise?

Without hesitation I would do it.

I work at one of those large companies and people at my level - mid manager - leave to smaller companies and become CTO or CIO or Director for half the pay. Why would I want to work twice as hard for half the pay? That’s just nuts. Plus people only leave this company when they are forced via layoffs.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the dream. Less responsibility and more pay??

[Anonymous]

Yes. Save as much as possible. Get ready to retire earlier.

[Anonymous]

Can you use the new offer as leverage for higher total compensation with your current employer ?

Essentially, this lets your current company decide for you. Are you as valuable to your current company as you think ?

Always a risk leaving a known job for a new employer. What guarantees can you get from the new employer to lessen the risk of switching employers ?

How many years have you been with your current employer ? Any chance for early retirement ?

[Anonymous]

I'd work at mcDonalds if it paid double. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I'm debating whether to apply for hybrid jobs an hour+ away (currently 100% remote) to increase my pay by 50%

[Anonymous]

No, I would want to work harder for less money to prove my virtue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot imagine a tech company paying that much but yes.

I know people in the tech industry who make double that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I would want to work harder for less money to prove my virtue.

☠️

[Anonymous]

What about your current stock options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about your current stock options?

Both values are all in with stocks

[Anonymous]

The only thing that would give me pause is the stability/growth of the new company.

Go with the one that’s in a high growth mode. A startup might give me a pause given the failure rate of startups.