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I've experienced this to varying degrees over my 15 year career, but can safely say that my current job at a FAANG probably pays more than any job I could get t

I've experienced this to varying degrees over my 15 year career, but can safely say that my current job at a FAANG probably pays more than any job I could get today (including another FAANG). Stock appreciation and more importantly, extra stock awards, are difficult to match. Or I could be a sucker and 100% wrong.

Loughla 2y ago
The problem with all of this is that it assumes the attitude that pay is the most logical, if not only, measure of success in your career. I decided to work in higher education after a WILDLY successful short career in sales. I lost over 80% of my compensation annually to make that switch in the first year. And I did it because the time off benefits, pace, and stability are much better for my mental health and well-being. If you feel like you are compensated appropriately for what you're doing, don't worry about gaming the system. Just be happy with your life. Have you ever read The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham?
- jjice 2y ago
  > The problem with all of this is that it assumes the attitude that pay is the most logical, if not only, measure of success in your career. I see what you mean, but I don't think the parent commented about career success, but just specifically pay. I agree with what you're saying in that there are other valuable things besides pay from a job.
- laweijfmvo 2y ago
  Agree with you, but this particular article/discussion is focused on pay :)
sangnoir 2y ago
Setting aside stock appreciation, are your refreshers greater than new hire FAANG RSUs for a similar position? Most FAANG total compensation dips in year 5 due to 4-year vesting schedules, and refreshers for existing employees being lower than nee hire grants (assuming stock price remains flat).
- laweijfmvo 2y ago
  Generally speaking, probably not; new-hire grants are generally one of the largest stock grants you get (promotions and bonus awards being second); annual refreshers are relatively small. But do I today have more RSUs earned cumulatively than a brand new hire at the same level? I would say yes, but only because of promotions and bonus grants -- Based on levels.fyi (grain of salt), my stock compensation is comparable to a new hire one level up.
kagakuninja 2y ago
I have never worked at a FAANG. Not only do typical companies pay much less, there isn't much in the way of stock packages. Usually there is some kind of ESPP, which is just a low-risk way for us to gamble on the stock price going up. FAANGS are unusual in that they actually do reward productive employees. I'm the top performer on my current team. After 3 years of no raises, I threw a bitch fit, and after a bunch of bureaucratic bullshit, I ended up with +6%. I have 0 stock or benefits because I am a contractor, which is a whole other load of shit I could complain about.
VirusNewbie 2y ago
>stock appreciation and more importantly, extra stock awards, are difficult to match. Other FAANGs will likely match. That's how comp went bonkers the last four years (and is normalizing now). People were leveraging their unvested stock appreciation in negotiations for new offers. (Netflix and Meta in particular have said they'll beat any other offers from FAANG). Now if you're already at Meta and got a huge grant at the low, then yeah you're probably topped out for a while but congrats on being pretty rich :)

Loughla 2y ago

The problem with all of this is that it assumes the attitude that pay is the most logical, if not only, measure of success in your career. I decided to work in higher education after a WILDLY successful short career in sales. I lost over 80% of my compensation annually to make that switch in the first year. And I did it because the time off benefits, pace, and stability are much better for my mental health and well-being. If you feel like you are compensated appropriately for what you're doing, don't worry about gaming the system. Just be happy with your life. Have you ever read The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham?

jjice 2y ago
> The problem with all of this is that it assumes the attitude that pay is the most logical, if not only, measure of success in your career. I see what you mean, but I don't think the parent commented about career success, but just specifically pay. I agree with what you're saying in that there are other valuable things besides pay from a job.
laweijfmvo 2y ago
Agree with you, but this particular article/discussion is focused on pay :)

sangnoir 2y ago

Setting aside stock appreciation, are your refreshers greater than new hire FAANG RSUs for a similar position? Most FAANG total compensation dips in year 5 due to 4-year vesting schedules, and refreshers for existing employees being lower than nee hire grants (assuming stock price remains flat).

laweijfmvo 2y ago
Generally speaking, probably not; new-hire grants are generally one of the largest stock grants you get (promotions and bonus awards being second); annual refreshers are relatively small. But do I today have more RSUs earned cumulatively than a brand new hire at the same level? I would say yes, but only because of promotions and bonus grants -- Based on levels.fyi (grain of salt), my stock compensation is comparable to a new hire one level up.

kagakuninja 2y ago

I have never worked at a FAANG. Not only do typical companies pay much less, there isn't much in the way of stock packages. Usually there is some kind of ESPP, which is just a low-risk way for us to gamble on the stock price going up. FAANGS are unusual in that they actually do reward productive employees. I'm the top performer on my current team. After 3 years of no raises, I threw a bitch fit, and after a bunch of bureaucratic bullshit, I ended up with +6%. I have 0 stock or benefits because I am a contractor, which is a whole other load of shit I could complain about.

VirusNewbie 2y ago

>stock appreciation and more importantly, extra stock awards, are difficult to match. Other FAANGs will likely match. That's how comp went bonkers the last four years (and is normalizing now). People were leveraging their unvested stock appreciation in negotiations for new offers. (Netflix and Meta in particular have said they'll beat any other offers from FAANG). Now if you're already at Meta and got a huge grant at the low, then yeah you're probably topped out for a while but congrats on being pretty rich :)