[datathrow0007]

> What can I do to minimize my risk of having lower chances on the job market due to this adventure?

a. Don’t quit your day-job until the side-project makes atleast two times your current comp.

b. Work on it for a year; realize you’re way in over your head and pretend it never happened. Line on CV: “took a sabbatical for one year.”

> What data do recruiters and employers look at to determine if the failed startup listed on a CV is a plus or a minus?

Most recruiters will not understand. Data? The data is that you were essentially unemployed for a long period of time; and instead of breaking out of the mold, you came back to the fold — and so you will be judged accordingly.

Employers? Most will think you’re at best a flight risk and at worst too independent-minded to be an employee.

Some will view it as a unique plus if you can show: a. A product; b. Paying customers; but these are definitely the minority and you cannot plan for finding these people. If you do decide to drop out of the corporate grind, your best way back in would be your network. If you don’t have one, you may end up working for boiler rooms at much lower pay.

[shubhamjain]

This answer is completely nonsensical. I wonder if it's a satire, especially the last line? I have never once met an employer who grilled me on gaps in my resume and if the question did come up, most were positively surprised that I took a jab at something risky and came out better in the process. In the industry where starting up is so commonplace, I have hard time believing even a corporate company weighing it too much against a candidate.

[datathrow0007]

My close(ish) confidants in my industry will be understanding; and those outside of my inner circle will be polite and cordial about it; but behind closed doors people will judge you, and use it against you.

Perhaps we simply run in different circles.

[SirMaster]

If a company is going to judge me in that way then I wouldn't want to work for them anyways. Would be like dodging a bullet for me.

Maybe I do run in different circles too. I have only worked for small companies where upper management knows me and values me. I'm not just a faceless employee and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[AHOHA]

Your reply is basically risk averse and too pessimistic to ever run your own business, if any business owner listened to your advice, they would have never started any business. Big portion of starting a business is risk taking, if you are the type of person who can’t quickly adapt, need your typical coffee in the morning while taking the same commute route, then starting a business isn’t for you, and that’s ok, not everyone is meant to anyway.

[joenot443]

> a. Don’t quit your day-job until the side-project makes atleast two times your current comp.

This advice doesn't really apply if you work in FAANG. You generally give up the ownership of any IP you create while under their employment, at least in my experience.

[thw6597]

Thanks, i appreciate this answer a lot. A) makes sense but I am a bit worried about IP issues?

The point about the network is a great one to keep in mind.

[datathrow0007]

Ask your manager for a waiver, and an invention assignment on your side-project.

It’s not a business; but a side-project (right now) — assuming it’s tech-related. If it’s a non-tech business, where you’re not generating IP, even better.