I find that quote interesting as well. Would anyone actually leave their job for $5k? Unless you hate your current job or the new job is more intellectually stimulating/better culture, that's a pretty paltry amount to take the risk of leaving your current role. Especially considering if you leave and don't like it you may have to stay in a role you don't like for a couple years to avoid looking like a job hopper. I make well under $100k and wouldn't leave my company for $5k unless the work is significantly more interesting. I work in finance so perhaps engineering is different.