Stable job vs 35% hike offer from startup: Techie wonders what he should really do

What would you choose—a safe, steady job you actually like, or a risky new offer dangling a 35% salary hike? It’s the kind of dilemma that stirs up endless debates in every office WhatsApp group. For one Reddit user, this choice has suddenly landed on his plate, and the responses pouring in show just how complicated career decisions can get.

Startup risk vs stability
The techie explained that he’s currently in a comfortable situation: a stable company, a fully remote work setup, and a supportive team. Things are smooth, and by most accounts, he has little to complain about. But then, a curveball arrived. His former boss approached him with an opportunity at a startup—an offer that could boost his pay by 30–35%. While the salary bump sounds tempting, the uncertainty of startup life looms large. He hasn’t received the formal offer yet, but the prospect itself has made him question his next move.

Adding to the mix is his current manager, who once told him that if he ever received an outside offer, he should share it first, so the company would have a chance to respond. The manager has earned his trust over time, but the techie isn’t sure if this was genuine support or just a way to protect company interests.

Leverage or lose trust?
Now he’s caught between options: should he use the startup offer as leverage to speed up a raise or promotion where he is, or would that strategy backfire and damage the trust he currently enjoys? He turned to the Reddit community, asking others if they had ever been in the same position and what they chose to do.

What did the internet suggest?
Some users advised him to follow the standard route: resign first, begin the notice period, and let negotiations play out from there. If the company truly values him, a counteroffer could follow, and accepting it would then become a clear commitment from his side. Others raised a practical concern—if his former boss had extended a generous offer, turning it down later might not be easy.

Another perspective was that a good manager shouldn’t wait for an external offer before recognising someone’s worth. Some felt there was no harm in trying, but suggested not disclosing the startup’s name upfront unless the current company showed genuine interest in matching the offer. They also warned that while managers may seem supportive, circumstances can shift quickly. So if he revealed the new offer, he should be prepared to walk away with it if things didn’t work out. In most cases, they said, the process boils down to resigning after receiving the actual offer letter, and if the company wants to retain him, the counteroffer discussion would naturally follow.