| You see that as a downside. I see it as an upside. I'm in the same place as you (42/20), and I've always loved working for startups. Just make sure they're paying you by the hour (contracts are best) and let them suck as much of your experience out as they need. And be sure to charge accordingly, since the thing you're selling isn't your butt in a seat, but the 20 years of accumulated knowledge and that giant \code\ folder on your hard drive with the solution to every problem they could conceivably have solved half a dozen times for previous gigs. Incidentally, "2 years, then dodge the door" is a great way to get one's self acquainted with tons of technology and stay up to date on the flavor of the month while always having a good explanation for moving from job to job. Better still is "6 months then straight into the ground", having build something big and cool from a green field and watched the kids burn through their VC while buying you and the dev team fun toys to play with. I guess it's all about outlook. If you look at it as them taking advantage of you, well, maybe they are. If you look at it as them needing you a lot more than you need them, well, that's a pretty fun (and lucrative) place to be. Edit: To be clear, in the above scenario, 40 hour work weeks (or whatever makes sense for you) are non-negotiable. They are free to work 60 hour weeks if they like. Your contract should include the understanding that you don't plan to follow suit. Extra hours should be rare, on your terms, and well paid. |
I like to work for small companies that have a bit of startup thinking (let's get things done, build cool stuff and be open minded about fresh and contrarian ideas) but that are run by people who have a more balanced view of how much time their employees should work.
At my stage in life (speaking only for myself), I don't buy into those BS sales jobs from hiring managers of getting rich on options, working until you're burnt out because you're changing the world, etc.