A young software engineer’s struggle in the tough tech job market, marked by toxic workplaces and salary woes, has resonated online. After two job hops, he accepted a Rs 16 LPA offer with a lower fixed pay, feeling pressured by peers’ success. Reddit users advised prioritizing culture and patient negotiation over quick fixes.
The tech job market is brutal right now, but for one young software engineer, it’s also deeply personal. In a candid Reddit post, a techie with just two years of experience laid bare his career decisions, salary struggles, and the mental toll of constant comparison. What started as a dream campus placement soon spiralled into a cycle of toxic workplaces, rushed exits, and self-doubt. His story has struck a chord online, especially with early-career professionals trying to find their footing in an unforgiving market.
The Reddit user shared that he graduated in 2023 and landed a campus placement with a Rs 14 LPA package, with Rs 12 LPA as fixed pay. On paper, it looked like a strong start. 10 months into the role, he even received a hike, taking his compensation to Rs 14.4 LPA. However, the work environment told a very different story. According to him, the team was made up entirely of freshers, there were no senior mentors, and the internal project lacked structure or direction. He felt he wasn’t learning anything meaningful and quickly began to feel stuck. Eventually, he made the decision to quit without having another offer in hand.
After leaving his first job, reality hit hard. He appeared for several interviews and realised he wasn’t as prepared as he thought. At the same time, he found himself priced out of many entry-level roles because of his previous salary. With time passing and pressure mounting, he lowered his expectations and decided that even Rs 10 LPA would be acceptable. Six months later, he landed a remote role offering Rs 12 LPA and accepted it immediately, hoping for a better experience.
That hope didn’t last long. He described the second workplace as another mistake, marked by intense micromanagement, strict hour tracking, and a toxic CTO. After spending 7 months there, he resigned once again without securing another job first.
This time around, the techie felt more confident about his skills. Over the next two months, he attended around four interviews. One offer came in below Rs 12 LPA, which he declined. Another company, despite being told upfront that he was expecting around a 30 percent hike on his base salary, came back with a Rs 16 LPA offer. The structure, however, bothered him. Only Rs 13 LPA was fixed, which was lower than the base salary from his first job, while the rest was variable and payable after a year based on performance.
When the offer was presented, he admitted that he froze. He didn’t negotiate properly and ended up accepting the terms. He explained that he decided to move forward mainly because the company’s culture and reviews appeared decent, and he was exhausted from repeatedly landing in toxic environments.
What continues to trouble him is comparison. He shared that a friend from his first company was laid off, remained unemployed for three months, and still managed to secure a role with a Rs 20 LPA base salary. Watching peers succeed, especially those who seemed to get a strong start, has made him feel far behind. While he acknowledges that the job market is tough and that having an offer is something to be grateful for, he can’t shake the feeling that his early career switches may have caused lasting damage.
Reddit users were quick to weigh in with advice and reassurance. Several urged the techie to prioritise company culture over flashy pay packages, suggesting thorough checks on platforms like Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, Reddit, and even reaching out to current employees on LinkedIn. Others stressed the importance of not accepting offers below one’s current CTC, negotiating patiently, and using strong offers as leverage rather than rushing decisions.
Many also cautioned against constant comparison, pointing out that a Rs 13 LPA base with variable pay is still a solid package in the Indian context, especially in a slowing market. Commenters highlighted that a non-toxic workplace can significantly improve quality of life, often outweighing a higher salary. With companies downsizing and counter-offers becoming rare, some felt stabilising one’s career mattered more right now. Others shared contrasting experiences, noting that even enjoyable, remote roles can bring their own trade-offs, reinforcing that every career journey unfolds differently.
