[joenot443]

Based off your description, I would say the most pragmatic way to secure a slice of that pie and retire early would be to take up the Leetcode grind.

I was blessed to be in a position where I was able to spend nearly the entirety of my quarantine free time practicing Leetcode. Last week I signed an offer with an American FAANG level company and more than doubled my final TC. I realize this is a highly anecdotal, unusual scenario, but the possibility is there. Note that part of this was due to the weak $CAD, but regardless, the level of potential TC gains going from small startup or dev shop to FAANG level truly cannot be understated.

If you're interested in joining the rat race, Blind is a pretty good place to start.

[mcdoug]

LeetCode looks like a bootcamp/school for software development. I don't feel like that's where my weakness lies. I am a productive software developer and am up to date on most of the latest tech. Teaching for something like that would probably be more my speed. Also, where I live there are no FAANG companies and relocation is not an option. I work from home and unless there is a local software company that is hiring, I am out of luck.

What do you mean by TC and what is Blind? The rat race is pretty much what I'm trying to escape.

[qohen]

What do you mean by TC

Total compensation (i.e. salary + stock-options/RSUs, etc.)

and what is Blind?

https://www.teamblind.com/

From its Wikipedia page[0]:

Blind is an app that provides an anonymous forum and community for verified employees to discuss issues. Users on Blind are grouped by topics, company and their broader industry. The app verifies that the registered users actually work in the company through their work email and it keeps user identities untraceable through patented technology.

The app has been in the news in multiple cases, noticeably when its anonymous surveys reveal the frank opinions of employees across industries. However, it is also used for more discussions about everyday topics such as salaries.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_(app)

[mattbrewsbytes]

I think OP was referring to practicing for silly leetcode style interviews that FAANG companies are known for with the ultimate goal of getting a position at a FAANG (or in that ballpark) company and seeing your TC (I assume total compensation) double.

When Amazon was teasing numerous cities for their HQ2 I researched the stock options and if you can weather the rat race of working there for a few years, they would be a legit slice of the pie. Probably why OP was referring to total compensation, your take home pay might be about the same but the stock would surpass that when it vests, assuming it doesn't tank.

[maxchisto]

Don't get discouraged. I found a good 100% remote role through HN by posting and reading monthly "who's hiring" and "who wants to get hired" threads. Unfortunately we don't have open heads right now.

[mcdoug]

Yup, I've had good luck with those in the past. Main problem: I am not making way below my market salary. I might be maybe $20k lower than average due to some job perks, but just switching from small software company A to small software company B won't make me a ton more money. Equity in a hot startup might, so I guess I'll be on the lookout.