Ask for a signing bonus of n months expenses (where n is how long you think it will take to find a job), and then put that in a savings account. Problem sovled. And if Yahoo ends up being okay, you have a big chunk of money you can apply to the down payment of a house (or fund a team of pro bike racers, or wahtever).

This is the best option. If you're good, then you can easily get a job very quickly in today's conditions. So a signing bonus, of, say, 3 months salary is ample.

Also: Yahoo is known for _very_ generous severance benefits. Typically you'll get 3-4 months of salary.

So if you're even half-way decent, you should be OK.

Are you interviewing anywhere else?

You could probably use the off as leverage. Yahoo's engineering core is still well respected in the industry.

Everybody just knows that none of the people in charge have a clue as to what to do with all of that talent.

I am planning to interview with several other companies. But by then I will need to decide whether I want to stick with Yahoo or not. I've heard great things about working at Yahoo (and the downsides) and the offer is fantastic, but my gut instinct is telling me to reconsider..

If you are in love with the group or project that much maybe it will be worth the risk.

But also keep in mind that alot of software shops around the country but especially in hot scenes like the Bay Area, NYC, and Austin,TX are searching far and wide for as many qualified applicants as they can get.

If you can/ are willing to avoid the risk of getting caught up in the Yahoo drama I think it will be wise.

I interviewed with them 2 years ago, and got an offer, and my gut instinct told me the same thing back then.

I liked the people I interviewed with, thou'. That seemed like a fun team.

Oh, well, life goes on.

Why not take the job, and then continue interviewing? I know it looks bad to leave a job early, but I think most people in the valley are aware of Yahoo's situation, so I wouldn't be too worried about how that'll be perceived.

I really would rather avoid this option. I'm not worried that it'll make me look bad to other employers, but how it will reflect on the team that I was signed up for.

If they can't afford you, it's economics, nothing personal. Nobody works for free.