I gave onsite interview last Friday for L6 SDM. Today he called me and informed that they can’t proceed further but I got a strong feedback, he mentioned that I would be good fit for L5 SDM. If I’m interested he will find L5 SDM roles in the other orgs. Does it happens frequently in Amazon?
Yes. Downlevels happen incredibly frequently at Amazon interviews
Does the feedback carries if I apply for L5 SDM
It's not uncommon. L6 is a pretty senior role. How much experience do you have? Also, sometimes they suggest a lower level of they think you need a lot of growth in a number of LPs.
I have around 9 yrs of experience.
9 years of management experience?
L5 SDM is a very weird spot to be. You will lose all mobility to transfer if you don’t like it, because all the job postings are for L6. You can’t level up from an internal transfer, so I’m not sure if you’d be even able to interview to transfer on the future. L5 SDM is also just dangerous, a promo from L5 to L6 is notoriously difficult. You don’t just get one for doing good, you have to be outstanding, the top 5% of the entire company. You’ll also only get it if your manager and skip really think you are exceptional. You will inevitably fight for respect from your SDE2 who will be the same L5 level as you with even more seniority.
Thanks for sharing the insight.
This is filled with tons of personal perceptions. There is lot more respect for those L6 who have grown from an L5 at amaZon. While I agree growing to an L7 requires right team, opportunity etc., L6 SDM promotions are rather common as long as you are doing both managerial and technical work to a good extent. Also, the L5 to L6 promotion is now employee driven which has made the process very transparent. Overall, take different perspectives but also ensure to put your judgement to a large extent. All the best. And for another full loop of interviews, it’s unlikely but good chances that you will be put through one or two rounds of interviews
It’s not a good role. Period. You can do a lot, but no one will think so. You can promote engineers to L6, but they won’t think you can. You can drive large scale projects, but no one will believe it. You can be a point of contact for outside teams, but they will reach out to your manager or skip instead.
Thanks for sharing the insight.
wow, the two accounts of this role above are horrific. I can't believe people would be put in that situation. and surely the ones responsible know they're setting them up for failure and just don't give a shit.
Thanks for sharing your perspective
If you do consider taking the role, I can help assess / provide feedback based on the team structure you are going in to. In general, L5 SDMs are entry level SDMs, Front line managers in training. Folks typically spend 2-3y as L5 before getting to L6 (now, you may not be at entry level L5, given strong feedback). My advise is like so a) If you think you know what the "fatal flaw" was, decline, regroup and attack again in 6m-1y. You are running the risk of losing what you have, but greater gains. b) If you like the salary / team, take it. You will learn a lot at Amazon. Good luck.
I’m ready to take but the problem is recruiter didn’t locate the role yet from outside it’s hard for me to find especially L5 SDM. I heard mostly the roles posted are L6 SDM, I have a huge dependency on recruiter to come back. Fingers crossed, can you suggest how to find L5 SDM in Amazon.jobs
Dm me please
Yes
Does the feedback carries if I apply for L5 SDM?
Of course