I read past posts on blind and got the sense that level decision of interview HC in Google is almost firm. My recruiter told me I'm approved to move forward, and she asked my compensation expectation. Then I asked what's the level decision of HC, she said it was L4 but negotiable to L5. What does it really mean? shoudn't this be already decided?
Sounds like they want to hire someone at the L4 level but are willing to hire someone at L5 if they find someone that is good and is realistically a L5
Btw, was told my system design was strong. In the whole process so far I didn't heard feedback of weak signal of my interview.
I think this is very unusual. Could you update how it turns out later? The possibilities I can think of are : 1. HC approved L5 but initially giving L4 as a negotiation tactic. (I don't know if this can happen really) 2. HC approved L4 but you can try L5 with a couple of more interviews.
This is unusual. Here's when it happens. Hiring manager targets l4 but hiring committee says 5. Or hiring committee says could be 5 but they need another interview. Happens in maybe 2% of cases. Way more common at much more senior levels.
If I haven't matched to a team, who is the hiring manager then?
Update: Did followup system design and another coding interview. Aced them (I feel that, and recruiter also says I did good). Interestingly recruiter told me the second HC still can not make a consensus on my level of L4/L5. The decision then was delegated to VP/SVP team which eventually set me L4.
Btw, Google seems pretty downleveling these days. I see one case that a person was offered 395k but still set as L4.
Your promo to lose
What does it mean?
Grade 5 unless you screw it up