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Comment by decafninja | Hacker News Reader

I work at an investment bank as a senior SWE. I'd take a paycut to work at a FAANG or other upper-mid to top tech company. In fact, I'd be ecstatic to join such a company as a junior or mid engineer - and the paycut (if there would be any at all) would probably be very minor. Meanwhile the long term benefits (monetary, skill, and career) would probably be far superior.

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In what ballpark are you making? I'm at an IB as a mid-level engineer and my all-in compensation is at least half of what I could get a FAANG. In NYC.

Ballpark TC of 150k, as a "vice president" individual contributor, team works with the front office (trading desk). I'm in NYC too.

Probably could have made SVP/D/ED (the next level up, I think it's referred to differently depending on bank) if I actually cared and made more of an effort. Instead I choose to use that time and energy to do more leetcode.

this seems pretty doable - why haven't you made this move yet?

Short answer would be: leetcode interviews. I've tried and failed 3 of the FAANGs so far (though did come close at one), and 1 of the top tier unicorns.

Slightly longer answer would also include the fact that many tech companies don't seem to want to look at someone like me for junior/mid roles. So I'm forced to compete with other seniors. And let's face it, a senior SWE at a bank or many other non-tech companies is not the equivalent of a senior SWE at a FAANG or other tech company.

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