Hacker News Reader

Comment by nicholas73 | Hacker News Reader

One really needs to consider the probability of dying tomorrow versus the potential gain of seriously shooting themselves in the foot both financially and resume-wise. Plus those 7 months aren't just gone - the OP can be preparing for his next step in the meantime. PLUS, that 35k represents time you have to spend earning elsewhere.

View on HN

Resume-wise he can just not put the position on there, it's easily explained away by a break traveling/freelancing etc.

As for financially, I agree with you for the most part. I'd still rather take the hit on the money and get out ASAP, you can always earn more. The best situation would be another sign-on bonus that paid the original one off - as long as the new position was good enough to last the year.

But, if he's getting a $35k sign-on bonus he must have quite a good skillset and be earning a high salary wherever he lands. Paying it off will be unfortunate but is totally doable.

I come from another engineering field, so maybe I'm out of the loop. But I've never had a signing bonus offered, sub-six figure salaries are the norm early in your career, 6 months job searches are expected, and there is always monkey work.

How long have you been in industry? Because I'm sure it wasn't always as good as you and the OP make it sound.

15 years now and no, back when I started I wouldn't have expected a sign-on bonus or such a large salary. If you're in one of the major hubs though you can expect six figures early on, within 2-4 years depending the skillset and your negotiation abilities.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com