YC
Why You Should Leave Your FAANG Job
@ Y Combinator
04/21/22
Takeaways
MS
Michael Seibel
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
If you wake up every day dreaming of quitting your job, you probably should quit.
MS
Michael Seibel
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
Technical founders often misunderstand the value they can extract from working at FAANG companies, thinking they will work on significant projects, but often they end up doing less impactful tasks.
MS
Michael Seibel
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
Many people assume that working at a FAANG company is essential for gaining experience on hard technical problems, but in reality, most jobs involve mundane tasks that don't translate to startup success.
MS
Michael Seibel
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
The lessons learned at a big tech company may not apply to startups, as many founders find that their corporate experience is irrelevant compared to their college coursework.
MS
Michael Seibel
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
Working at a FAANG company can create a dependency on their tools and infrastructure, making it challenging for founders to adapt when starting their own companies without those resources.
MS
Michael Seibel
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
The perception that engineers from FAANG companies can easily raise venture capital is misleading; while it may help initially, staying too long can diminish that advantage.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
The path from being a Facebook engineer to raising money for a startup is not straightforward, and many people mistakenly believe it is easy.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
People often only hear about successful fundraisers, which creates a false impression that everyone is raising money easily, while unsuccessful attempts go unnoticed.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
It's a misconception that having worked at Google guarantees easy access to funding; the reality is much more complex and competitive.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
Companies have engineered systems over many years to retain employees, and signing a contract means entering a retention flow designed to keep you from leaving.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
The retention trap involves vesting equity over four years, which can create a financial incentive to stay longer than intended, even if you're unhappy.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
Loss aversion plays a significant role in why employees stay at FAANG companies; the fear of losing vested equity can lead to irrational decision-making.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
Surrounding yourself with colleagues who prioritize lifestyle upgrades can lead to increased spending, making it harder to save for starting your own company.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
To avoid getting trapped in a FAANG job, keep your personal expenses low and remember that you can always return to a tech job if needed.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
If you find yourself dreaming of quitting your job at a FAANG company, it's a strong indicator that you might need to consider leaving.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
04/21/22
@ Y Combinator
It's crucial to have a clear plan when starting a job at a FAANG company, including what you want to achieve and when you plan to leave.