Ask HN: Would you take a "failing upwards" role?

1 point·ronbenton··4 comments

I have an interesting opportunity to take a role on what I believe to be a doomed project. I consider it interesting because the job title, compensation, and connections will assuredly advance my career in subsequent roles. Is this something others have encountered? Would you take the role?

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Aren't most projects doomed, at least at big tech companies? There's usually one small division that makes all of the revenue, where most of the development is to milk customers for all there worth, plus a small legal department to ensure customers can't leave even though they want to, and everything else is ephemeral projects that are constantly being churned, with no long-term support for anything.

You need to make sure failure cannot/won't be pinned on you and jump ship in time. Other than that I would accept the role. On the other hand, you're describing most startups...

Every project could be doomed, you just don't know it all the time.

Every small business / start up is arguably likely doomed...

I don't see why you can't take the job and do your best?

Yeah. It’s on you to leverage the role and sell yourself appropriately, if your goal is to ladder climb. It will be a step towards a more successful position but yeah only if you can sell yourself / what you gained from the position well.

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