A Nice Problem to Have

11 thoughts on “A Nice Problem to Have”

  1. If it were me, it’d be an easy choice. I’ve always enjoyed working in start-ups. There’s more diversity of work (I get bored pretty easily), a more casual work culture and more responsibility. The downside is that there’s more risk.

  2. I would go for the start up. I know the larger company, and I would be concerned (personally) about compartmenting of my role – not being let out to play with other departments. I agree with Darren that the startup would be more stimulating in the medium to long term. Just my two bits of course.

  3. Ah, right, I also meant to add that you’re also right to discount the stock options. You should totally ignore them as a factor in making your decision.

  4. i guess you the question is what makes job #2 so appealing that you would pass up exactly what you want from job #1?

  5. My recommendation would be that you don’t put such an important decision in the hands of random strangers. It kind of goes along the lines of Darren’s “should I have a baby” wiki from a few months back, though not quite as extreme.

  6. col:
    Job 2 is “sexier” plain and simple. The nuts and bolts of the daily work are more exciting to me. Also the position is geared to ramp up to management. The other advantages are basically what Darren and Jer have said. Job #2 is also in very heavy *woo* mode right now.

    The pull of Job 1 is stability, plain and simple. I’m a bit gun-shy since my 4 jobs in 4 years resume has been a liability so far in getting me interviews (though once I get the interview, everyone has been okay with it).

  7. gill: Oh I’ll definitely not leave this up to random strangers (or even non-random acquaintances). I’m just hoping someone can come up with a question, or way of asking it, I haven’t asked myself yet.

  8. Are you a “work to live” or a “live to work” kind of person?

    A ‘sexy’ job is great if your life to centres around work. You need that satisfaction to keep you going. Working in a startup on the fast track to management, i imagine the job requires a lot more hours.

    A ‘stable’ job is good if you want a way to earn money for 40 hours/week, and eave it all behind at the end of the day and concentrate on other things.

    I voted for job “1” because I actually think you will find more job satisfaction there. The fact that this position was “created” for you shows the corporation is willing to adjust job duties to suit the talent they have access to. However, with an active startup… tasks could get assigned to whoever can do it, with less regard for their personal preferences… there’s just not enough personnel flexibility. My experience with small start-up companies has been disapointing: the hope & hype of a fantastic, free-wheeling position which exercises all your wonderful unique talents doesn’t actually materialize (even if all parties involved thought it could).

  9. peechie: That’s odd, because I totally decided to have a big schwack of kids based on what the Internet said. There’s more pros than cons on the wiki, after all. Heh.

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