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Learned the hard way that job titles mean nothing in startups
I took a "Senior Developer" role at a 15 person startup last year and ended up doing IT support and office coffee runs. Has anyone else found that small companies just make up titles to fill seats?
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jesse_nguyen2mo ago
Actually there is something to be said for taking a title like that at a small startup. You get to be part of building something from the ground up which a lot of big company jobs never give you. The printer fixing and lunch runs are just part of the deal when you are early stage and everyone has to wear multiple hats. At a 15 person shop there is no such thing as a pure "Senior Developer" role unless you want to sit in a cubicle and never see the big picture. Plus if the company hits it big, that "VP of Engineering" title actually means something on your resume because you were there when the thing was being built.
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verafoster2mo ago
My buddy took a "VP of Engineering" title at a 12 person startup and spent most days fixing the office printer. He quit after three months when they asked him to pick up lunch.
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emerycarr2mo ago
Did he ever ask what the budget was before he took the job? A 12 person startup can't afford a real VP, so you're basically the most senior engineer who also handles everything else. Always ask how many people report to you and what your actual responsibilities are before accepting a title like that.
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