My first mistake was believing in the founder and his vision.
I actually felt like I was part of the team and making the product a reality. I was a founding engineer, employee #1. I out lasted every other founding member including the co-founder. I ended up picking up his slack.
Four years and lots of revenue later I was let go. Apparently I "outgrew" the team, what the fuck ever that means. Lesson learned, think of yourself first. A business is just a business and will get rid of you as soon as it can, so you do the same.
My second mistake was working too much. I didn't value my own time and should have spent more time with my family instead of slaving away for someone else's idea. Lesson learned, put you and those important to you first. A job is just a job, a company is just a company. None of that is worth losing time with people that actually matter.
Pretty much the same story but I left the company rather than being let go. I did work crazy hours every day. Had to give back half of my equity when I left but no regrets. I'm working as a freelance developer making lesser than what I made at a full-time job (I work for 4 hrs a day right now) and couldn't be happier.
"A business is just a business and will get rid of you as soon as it can, so you do the same."
I agree wholeheartedly. even nonprofits, etc., tend to be helmed by folks that think purely in terms of financial statements, etc.
in their eyes, you are nothing more than a line item on a spreadsheet. everyone above you on an orgchart effectively has the power to have you ousted. you, of course, have no such reciprocal power over them.
one key takeaway from this observation: don't live paycheck to paycheck -- it's tempting to buy nice stuff with all this money you're suddenly earning... but don't do it. get serious about your finances now. first priority is to save up buffer funds (six months minimum). don't let their power to fire you turn into the power to seriously wreck your life. be proactive in taking care of yourself, you family, and your career.
and as has been said elsewhere, plan to make a jump to a new firm every 2 to 4 years or so, that's the best way to build up your earning potential.
do i sound cynical? hope for the best but plan for the worst.
I actually felt like I was part of the team and making the product a reality. I was a founding engineer, employee #1. I out lasted every other founding member including the co-founder. I ended up picking up his slack.
Four years and lots of revenue later I was let go. Apparently I "outgrew" the team, what the fuck ever that means. Lesson learned, think of yourself first. A business is just a business and will get rid of you as soon as it can, so you do the same.
My second mistake was working too much. I didn't value my own time and should have spent more time with my family instead of slaving away for someone else's idea. Lesson learned, put you and those important to you first. A job is just a job, a company is just a company. None of that is worth losing time with people that actually matter.
My third mistake? I didn't make any more :)