How I Make $400K A Year Working At TikTok

Introduction

Introduction

We are all imperfect, but you can try to do it all. You can have a job at a big tech company, be a working mom, maintain friendships, and work out. It's all about time management and finding the balance. While you're doing all this, you may not be perfect, but don't feel like you have to choose one over the other. My name is Sora Lee. I'm 34 years old, I make about $ 400,000 a year, and I live in San Mateo, California.

Fast-Paced Work at TikTok

One thing that I like about TikTok is it moves really fast. I sit between product and sales and users. Sometimes I go to market with a product; they wanted me to send them feedback each day, and because I have engineers in Asia, a lot of them that were easily addressable were fixed overnight. That was the moment when I realized why TikTok has been growing so fast. In 2023, my total compensation consisted of my base salary and sign-on bonus from TikTok, severance from Meta, selling a primary residence I co-owned with my ex-husband, and landing some brand partnership deals as a creator.

Early Career and Education

I graduated in 3 years and decided to take that route to save money. I also worked at a Korean bar, which I highly recommend for everyone to do at least once in their life. It teaches you about reading and servicing people and thinking about operational efficiency. I started my career working at a few different startups, then joined Tube Mogul, which later got acquired by Adobe. My salary journey started with $ 40,000 in base and increased over time.

Major Career Milestones and Negotiation Tips

In 2014, I moved over to Netflix and my salary jumped from $ 46,000 to $ 110,000. My biggest negotiation tip is to have counter offers. When interviewing at Netflix, I had another offer that boosted my confidence, which helped me secure $ 110,000. When I left Netflix, I made $ 165,000 all cash. After moving to Facebook, my salary included $ 50,000 in bonus, but I wasn't growing much and later transitioned to TikTok.

Financial Management and Investments

I try not to keep more than $ 10,000 in my checking account. I maxed out my traditional IRA and 401k contributions for the year and put the rest into index funds, individual stocks, and Bitcoin. Even after a costly divorce and managing up to $ 100,000 in credit card debt, I feel good about my current financial status.

Life Lessons and Parenting

Having adult-like discussions with my son, Jackson, about money is important for me. I believe he will understand these financial principles better as he grows. Giving kids chores and responsibilities, even in daily tasks, helps them build confidence and understand the value of work. My son has taught me to take pauses and enjoy life, balancing out my anxieties about work and financial success.

Social Media and Future Goals

After appearing on a Netflix reality show, my social media accounts started to grow, allowing me to share stories on becoming an effective employee and navigating corporate careers. Empowering women of color and others to pursue their passions and make more money is something I am passionate about. You can do it all, and I aim to inspire people to dream more, do more, and achieve their goals.

Keywords

• Time Management
• TikTok
• Product and Sales
• Engineering in Asia
• Total Compensation
• Career Journey
• Negotiation Tips
• Financial Management
• Investments
• Parenting
• Social Media Growth
• Empowerment

FAQ

Q: How did Sora Lee get into TikTok?

A: Sora Lee got into TikTok after being reached out by a recruiter on LinkedIn. She interviewed for the role and received an offer right after being laid off from Meta.

Q: What is Sora Lee's salary at TikTok?

A: Her total compensation is about $ 400,000 a year, which includes her base salary, sign-on bonus, severance, real estate sales, and brand partnerships.

Q: What are some of the financial strategies Sora Lee uses?

A: She maxes out her traditional IRA and 401k contributions, puts extra money into index funds, individual stocks, and Bitcoin, and tries not to keep more than $ 10,000 in her checking account.

Q: How does Sora Lee balance her work and personal life?

A: Sora Lee manages her time effectively and finds balance through parenting, giving her son responsibilities, and discussing finances with him. Her son helps her to pause and enjoy life.

Q: What platforms does Sora Lee use to share her experiences?

A: Sora Lee uses social media to share her stories, especially growing her accounts after appearing on a Netflix reality show.