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I spent several years underpaid at a lifestyle company as a specialist. I didn't want the golden handcuffs, I didn't want the pressure. I've learned this was a

I spent several years underpaid at a lifestyle company as a specialist. I didn't want the golden handcuffs, I didn't want the pressure. I've learned this was a big mistake If you're paid at market value for your particular set of skills, your employer is making a commitment to use them. When they underpay you, you won't get to do the awesome thing that you do as much. So by being paid more there's incentive for the employer to waste less of your time. This can include up to letting you go when they decide they don't want to do what's in your wheelhouse (a feature not a bug from my POV). And none of that's to mention the long term financial downside. And the fact that the "lifestyle company" really wasn't fewer hours at the end of the day

srtjstjsj 6y ago
But most people's job isn't making money, it's making something that someone else monetizes. Profitability is extremely weakly correlated to the work. Adtech pays better than research despite being easier and boringer.
throwawayincog 6y ago
I've managed to feel like my career has spiraled down while my salary has spiraled up after leaving a more "lifestyle"(let's say heavily culture focused, yet still performance focused) startup. I'm not sure anyone has a solid understanding of my work history.. Company was just acquired and I'm stressed AF trying to figure out if I can even make it to my 1 year RSU cliff to start seeing my retention comp. Not super interested in being back at a big public company working this far down the hierarchy(been working directly for company founders/C-level most of the past 8 years). So, yeah.. I'm would tend to agree to an extent but certainly not absolutely true. I'll feel it's likely I'll end up back at a "lifestyle" business sooner or later.
tome 6y ago
What's a "lifestyle company"? Is it this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle_business https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle_business
- throwarayes 6y ago
  Yes that’s what I mean.

srtjstjsj 6y ago

But most people's job isn't making money, it's making something that someone else monetizes. Profitability is extremely weakly correlated to the work. Adtech pays better than research despite being easier and boringer.

throwawayincog 6y ago

I've managed to feel like my career has spiraled down while my salary has spiraled up after leaving a more "lifestyle"(let's say heavily culture focused, yet still performance focused) startup. I'm not sure anyone has a solid understanding of my work history.. Company was just acquired and I'm stressed AF trying to figure out if I can even make it to my 1 year RSU cliff to start seeing my retention comp. Not super interested in being back at a big public company working this far down the hierarchy(been working directly for company founders/C-level most of the past 8 years). So, yeah.. I'm would tend to agree to an extent but certainly not absolutely true. I'll feel it's likely I'll end up back at a "lifestyle" business sooner or later.

tome 6y ago

What's a "lifestyle company"? Is it this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle_business https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle_business

throwarayes 6y ago
Yes that’s what I mean.