Google L4 lowballs? Microsoft and Facebook better with levels?
Hi all! I have no plans on moving on from my current company (Engaging work, good WLB, remote, excellent comp) but Google reaches out at least once a year to me. I usually tell them I’m not looking, but humor a conversation every now and then. Despite trying to butter me up in the emails about “very experienced engineers” and “unique team opportunities” they always try to rope me into to a company wide generic L4 loop. I know what the pay bands are (thanks levels.fyi!) and know it wouldn’t be worth the time and effort unless it was an L6 interview. They claim that level is based on performance, but I am very skeptical they ever place anyone two levels above the initial slotting. They say can match my comp, but that would be the top of the L5 band, and not really worth the downsides (big company politica, no remote, I already have a FANG on my resume, top of band means little room for promos) It also seems L6 is not generally offered unless you have 10 plus YOE, and I am only at 7. Given all that context I have a few questions: Would they really consider me for L6 if I did well in the loop? Should I basically ignore Google recruiting emails for now until I get to 10 YOE? Is there a way to say I am only interested in L6 without coming across as a jerk? I also got denied in a M$ loop for a principal positon due to lack of YOE (still confused why they interviewed me if that is the case... they said I nailed the technical questions) Curious if FB/Netflix are any better about beating current level/comp. Again, love where I am, but I don’t want to needlessly stick my head in the ground, but also want to spend less time hearing lowballs. It’s also just good to know your options, even if you might not use them! I feel very fortunate to have this issue! The only issue with my current company is how flat we are makes it tough to gain more comp. While I am pleased now, it would be unideal to not make any gains for several years. TC: 400k
You can do Google interview and show them that you are L6 candidate. I don’t think there is a separate L6 loop. You will be calibrated based on interview performance.
In a startup even with 10 yoe you can only interview for 5. Never 6
Those 10 YOE aren’t exclusively startups; 2 of the years are FANG. Not sure if it matters, but my startup Tanium is a late stage Unicorn, not some random start up.
Does that apply even for the well known unicorns such as Lyft and Airbnb (Lyft is technically public now, but close enough)
L6 involves lots of design rounds. I would consider L5 loop and after you get feedback from the recruiter ask if you can do more L6 design rounds to get more signal and have that submitted to HC. Although during the behavioral round you should have L6 qualities since that is also in L5 loop.
Does Google keep track of your progress between interviews? I also thought they were isolated incidents.
The recruiter aggregates this for HC so they have an idea of what level you can pass
Tell them you’re not interested in anything less than L6 but they need to see what you’re made of. Hard to negotiate when they don’t know you
Can you please share the offer details and yoe? I am dealing with same situation.
Almost impossible for L6. Does your 400k TC include paper money? If it does, don’t expect a match.
This guy looks like a L4 candidate
Thanks for the info everyone! I’ll mention I’m only interested in L6, but not going to hold my breath on that one 🤣
The recruiter did mention they have full stack generalist L6 positions (wasn’t offered to interview for them though 😂)
Just flat out say you’re not willing to consider a non L6 loop. That doesn’t make you out to be a jerk.
Simple enough. Glad to hear that won’t be interrupted the wrong way!