Jerry Welsh ⋅ Middleville, MI Master Military Transition Advisor/HPS GPO ⋅ 30 years experience

James, first I would get a good profile on LI, I could not find yours. Be sure and list your career choice not your job title, in fact it is not necessary to list your company in your TAG. Take a look at my LinkedIn account I do probably 100 military profiles a month. That is great way to get your name out their, 90% of recruiters use LI to search for candidates.
I would also like to recommend you start looking on Indeed and get an idea of what the career requirements are and make sure you get your ducks in row. Also get the word out in your non work personal network, you would be amazed at how many folks know people needing people, especially good managers or technical people with "people" skills.

Rebecca Splinter ⋅ Tacoma, WA Wells Fargo ⋅ 40 years experience

Your comment that 'the work is great' caught my eye. The work is how we use a huge chunk of our time. Being engaged, having a pace you like, etc., are so important to the quality of one's life. Is the start-up prospering? After three years, are you able to see that it is going to be a success? If the answer to those questions is 'yes', maybe you've already asked about (or have) equity in the firm, or for an increase in your total cash comp, whatever form that takes.

Either way, if you're ready for a change, for whatever reason (more stability, more known trajectory, etc.) then you should absolutely feel completely OK about looking for a new role. Three years is a very respectable tenure in most situations. Regarding your concern about not burning bridges: if your role is critical to the start-up's ability to continue, you'd want to request a longer transition time from your new employer. BUT, if that is not do-able for them, you should be willing to go with the usual two weeks. You'd tell your current employer that you already requested a longer transition but that your new employer couldn't make that work. You'd also mention (to your current employer) what you've enjoyed about the work there, and perhaps refer briefly to one or two significant contribution you've made. And provide an understandable reason as to why you're leaving. If you gave them the opportunity to address your comp and they weren't able to do that, your departure won't be a complete surprise.

Rex Conger ⋅ Gilbert, SC Perry Memorial Hospital NR NH Pensacola ⋅ 50 years experience

I have found the old days are over (It used to be that you needed to stay in a position for 3 years or you were considered a "job jumper" and that was a bad thing). And people joined organizations with the thought of retiring from that organization.

Those days are "so over!" Now, often, instead of looking like you are growing professionally it looks like you are only "good at repetition - same experience over and over and over again.

Now potential employers are looking to bring in talent/experience that will have a immediate impact on their organization and communicating that you bring those skills/experience will determine if it is time to leave (and grow professionally).

My thought now is - If you have hit that plateau - it is time to "carefully" begin looking!

Best Wishes.

Barry Sosnick ⋅ Greenlawn, NY Great Whites Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics ⋅ 5 years experience

It is an interesting question with no easy answer. I love startups for the range authority and challenges, plus you feel the progress. My regret was leaving small businesses for large ones. However, this is a personal perspective.

One consideration: do you believe the startup can succeed? Perhaps you can restructure your compensation to meet your needs and aspirations. One option is to ask for equity.

There are several elements that go into compensation -- salary, bonus, benefits, etc. -- think about what is ideal for you and whether the work environment are worth the trade-offs. Also, consider the balance of the various elements and determine which mix will make you the happiest.