Zeke Newsletter: Product Update, Tech Salary Info & Job Hopping

Table of Contents

• 📕 Product Update: Build your portfolio for free w …

• Decoding Tech Salaries 💰

  • Job Search Resources📝:

• Request for Interview (Get 3 months of Zeke free!)

• Is the golden era of job hopping over? 🧑🏻‍💻

📕 Product Update: Build your portfolio for free with Zeke

We have launched our much awaited Portfolio feature, simply login to Zeke and start building your portfolio today! (Its free!)

• Build a clean looking portfolio site

• No coding required

• Freely share your skills and experience with recruiters

Decoding Tech Salaries 💰

Navigating tech salaries can feel like deciphering a secret code 🔒. New data from the pragmatic engineer newsletter + Levels.fyi reveals compensation isn’t random, it follows a three-tiered structure tied to company type, location, and equity.

Whether you’re job hunting or negotiating a raise, here’s how to benchmark your worth:

🌐 Tier 1: “Everyone Else”
Local or non-tech firms with solid pay but lower ceilings.

🚀 Tier 2: Big Tech (FAANG+)
High salaries + liquid equity for immediate earnings.

💸 Tier 3: Top Startups & Hedge Funds
Higher total comp but illiquid equity (e.g., OpenAI) or cash-heavy bonuses (hedge funds).

📍 Location Rules: US hubs (Bay Area, NYC) lead pay, but UK/India tech scenes thrive at US-based firms.

⚠️ Equity ≠ Cash: Private stock isn’t spendable until IPO/exit.

💡 Job Market Reality: Sharpen interview skills — negotiate fiercely with data!

🤔 Beyond the Paycheck: Culture, growth, and balance matters in the long run.

Job Search Resources📝:

• Built In Job Board

• Welcome to the Jungle Job Board

• hiring.cafe 

• Use Google to find postings quickly

• levels.fyi 

Request for Interview (Get 3 months of Zeke free!)

Want to help shape the future of Zeke and enjoy 3 months of free access? Participate in a quick 30-minute interview to share your thoughts on the platform and as a thank-you, we’ll unlock 3 months of Zeke Premium for you!

Get on a call with the founders →

Is the golden era of job hopping over? 🧑🏻‍💻

The era of big pay hikes for switching jobs is fading. Job switchers now see median raises of 4.8% (down from 7.7% in 2022), while those staying put earn 4.6%, the smallest gap in a decade, per the Atlanta Fed.

Why?

• Employers, burned by post-pandemic turnover, now prioritize retention (retirement plans, health benefits) over flashy hiring incentives.

• A cooler job market means employers hold power: 70% of Americans say landing a better role is tough, and 61% of seekers report zero offers.

But What If You Need to Switch?

If you’re eyeing a career pivot, flexibility is key. Over 50% of recent hires landed roles in new industries, per ZipRecruiter’s Julia Pollak. While switching fields may mean a short-term pay cut, workers are prioritizing fit and growth over money alone.

Pro Tip: Before job hunting, ask yourself: What’s missing in my current role? Career coach Jayne Mattson advises clarity on your values, skills, and goals: “If you don’t know what you want, how will you recognize the right offer?”

Have some feedback? We are all ears. Just hit reply!

See you in your inbox next Tuesday with more insights!