I just went through a similar thing two years ago (burnt out from a startup that became a big company). I ended up taking off about 6 months and then pin-balled through a couple companies before finding something that makes me feel like Im on the road to being back on my feet. From that experience here is my 2 cents.
### If you are already burnt out, I would absolutely avoid the following...
- A startup that is doing something that is not all that exciting to you (no matter how cool the company is or how great their potential is)
- A big co. in the same industry as your past company (while not always, competing companies in the same segment tend to usually have similar operating procedures)
- Any company under financial pressure... that could be an over-promising startup with not enough funding/revenue or a big co. that is starting to tilt in the wrong direction.
### What I would suggest:
- If possible, any company that is doing something you find exciting. I'd probably lean more towards a larger organization in that the risk of getting doubly burnt out in a startup is probably higher. If it isn't somehow interesting or exciting, don't take it or quit after a week of trying it out. Also look at non-SV type companies. There are lots of interesting opportunities for technical folks in energy, education, etc. that after years of working on the typical startup stuff I've realized is way more interesting to me.
### If you are already burnt out, I would absolutely avoid the following...
- A startup that is doing something that is not all that exciting to you (no matter how cool the company is or how great their potential is)
- A big co. in the same industry as your past company (while not always, competing companies in the same segment tend to usually have similar operating procedures)
- Any company under financial pressure... that could be an over-promising startup with not enough funding/revenue or a big co. that is starting to tilt in the wrong direction.
### What I would suggest:
- If possible, any company that is doing something you find exciting. I'd probably lean more towards a larger organization in that the risk of getting doubly burnt out in a startup is probably higher. If it isn't somehow interesting or exciting, don't take it or quit after a week of trying it out. Also look at non-SV type companies. There are lots of interesting opportunities for technical folks in energy, education, etc. that after years of working on the typical startup stuff I've realized is way more interesting to me.