I recently had to close down my bootstrapped startup. Small, tech niche product, always made enough to pay a team but nowhere close enough for me to retire now. I had to fire my entire team, great people, and made an effort to see all of them get into new jobs.
Once everyone was squared away, I took a break to recover mentally and physically. Now my funds are running low, and I have to take a job. Multiple aspects make me unsure where to go from here:
- I am still relatively young (not even 30), and would be considered a junior SWE in most bigger orgs, but I don't want to lose managing teams. - I coded less and less, managed more and more, so I would have to go for team lead roles, but I am young and have not much prior experience. - I really loved, for the lack of better words, having so much impact and freedom. Can joining anywhere as employee give me the same, especially in bigger orgs?
Those of you having had similar experiences, where did you go next, and what advice can you give me? Should I try for a bigger org and fill up my bank account, but not have impact because I will have a hard time even getting a team lead role? Or should I try to join another startup, but not make much money (again)?
If you ran your own business and hired and managed a small team you should look at Director level positions (or Senior Manager in a large org, perhaps) as you have that experience.
It may be easier to go for smaller companies and startups than large orgs both in term of being hired and of success in the role.