Ask HN: What a senior dev looks on a job proposal
Now a days, what are the main issues that makes a senior dev change work place? Salary? Company size/reputation etc?
4 comments
The biggest issues are always soft stuff.
Salary isn't a big deal -- once you have a senior dev salary, a few grand extra doesn't make a difference in lifestyle. A good developer can always leave and go to work for the big guys (Google/Facebook/NetFlix/Amazon). The reason they don't is that it's hard to make an impact at a big company.
Company size doesn't matter. Some big companies have small groups that do cutting edge stuff, and some startups are run like big companies and/or have bad managers. People don't leave companies, they leave bad bosses or bad cultures.
Company reputation matters when trying to find a place to work. But once you work there, the outside perception doesn't matter as much (because you're working to change it, in theory.)
The 'rules' really matter. If a company has a dress code, a punch clock, or requires a specific college degree, they are cargo culting. You can assume that they have no idea how to treat knowledge workers.
The best piece of advice I ever got was "don't be the smartest person at your company". If you aren't surrounded by awesome people, then you will be brought down to their average. (See also "the Dead Sea Effect" for IT.)
Salary isn't a big deal -- once you have a senior dev salary, a few grand extra doesn't make a difference in lifestyle. A good developer can always leave and go to work for the big guys (Google/Facebook/NetFlix/Amazon). The reason they don't is that it's hard to make an impact at a big company.
Company size doesn't matter. Some big companies have small groups that do cutting edge stuff, and some startups are run like big companies and/or have bad managers. People don't leave companies, they leave bad bosses or bad cultures.
Company reputation matters when trying to find a place to work. But once you work there, the outside perception doesn't matter as much (because you're working to change it, in theory.)
The 'rules' really matter. If a company has a dress code, a punch clock, or requires a specific college degree, they are cargo culting. You can assume that they have no idea how to treat knowledge workers.
The best piece of advice I ever got was "don't be the smartest person at your company". If you aren't surrounded by awesome people, then you will be brought down to their average. (See also "the Dead Sea Effect" for IT.)
Stress. I'll take the 5k-15k less (while still making an enormous amount) for a fraction of the stress.
Even having cool perks such as more vacation days for example?
Here in South America, usually is more money, devs aren't paid that high.
Another factor is boring projects, but as you grow older, you start realizing that boring projects pays the bills.
Another factor is boring projects, but as you grow older, you start realizing that boring projects pays the bills.
How is the tech scene in South America chudi?
I'd say almost always it's the soft stuff: Respect, stress, suitable challenges etc. I know very few Senior Devs who've left a great place to work just for more money.
Ok but how can we guess if a place is stressful? I mean, I csn only guess if I know someone working there or Glassdoor, what do you think doobiaus?