Hidden Google benefits

Microsoft / Eng bro12

Jan 16 189 Comments

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I have a Google offer on a team I'm excited for, but just got a competing offer that's significantly higher ($$ wise) and I'm unsure if Google can match.

Are there any hidden Google perks that add a cherry on top and make the lower Google comp more appealing? Especially ones that can translate to more $$ savings down the line. Otherwise on a purely financial basis it seems like Google is behind.

Assume all the fundamentals are the same in both: good insurance, 401k match, WLB, challenging work and so on.

I don't have Google numbers yet but it's for L4. The competing offer is in the order of $350 TC for another large software company on the west coast (prefer not to say name to keep anonymity).

Current TC: $200k

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TOP 189 Comments

Google / Eng prodaccessmore

We have plenty of kale if that is your thing.

Jan 16 94 17
- New JohnMcPop
  
  Amazon also provides a desk where you can hide under it, curl up and cry with the free tissues
  
  Jan 22 3
- Google Nahn
  
  I laughed, really.
  
  Jan 22 0
- Microsoft ibSs75
  
  JNeo42: Amazon does have milk (at least the 2 buildings/floors I’ve been in).
  
  Jan 22 0
- New / Eng CnfusdSprmmore
  
  Hey hey hey , Amazon has subsidized snicker bars for $1 . I eat it everyday and I thank Jeff B for it
  
  Jan 23 1
- Aon Hewitt winter 123
  
  Organic kale?
  
  Jan 23 0
Google / Product callofwild

The only real perk is that you get to work for Google and if that is not appealing enough, please do all of us a favor and take the other offer. :)

Jan 21 12 15
- Amazon ushldknow
  
  And, like, hmmm, making the world a better place!!! [eye roll]
  
  Jan 22 0
- Facebook / Eng HappyTree
  
  Google 2019 != Google 2002. Get off your high horse.
  
  Jan 22 3
- Microsoft Teamsteam
  
  Agree with callofwild. When I joined Microsoft it was about the company and the product. I didn’t even know the levels and bonus stock grants. I got low balled big time but over time I think I have made up the lost $$.
  
  The $75K SSA in August was a good surprise
  
  Jan 22 0
- New fzlpop
  
  Wrong teamsteam. The companies are paying you money so that they can make 10x or more off of your labor. When you cease to be useful for them, you will be thrown out like yesterday’s stale food. One can’t feed his/her family on corporate Koolaid forever.
  
  Jan 22 2
- Google / Eng Pfjhebs
  
  Google's main revenue is ads, but you guys are kidding yourselves if you don't think there are interesting problems being tackled in all areas of computer science at Google.
  
  Jan 23 0
Google QNrQ72

Googles 401k matching (50% match) is huge. Another underrated benefit is the ability to save up to 27.5k, tax-free, in Roth accounts through megabackdoor Roth contributions. Many, many company’s do not allow this, and it can lead to saving a significant amount of tax-free money.

Jan 16 42 18
- Collective Health kavita
  
  Guess whatever google doc you guys are using for personal finance has bad information. The money you are transferring from a Roth 401K is a transfer, not a direct contribution. You can’t withdraw your principle from a transfer until 5 years afterwards.
  
  Jan 21 0
- Google OUKV03
  
  Pretty sure that only applies to conversions from a pre-tax 401k. This would be a conversion from an after-tax 401k. But I'm not an accountant
  
  Jan 21 2
- Collective Health kavita
  
  Y’all are right I’m wrong.
  
  Jan 21 1
- Spotify Mukv38
  
  @DvV dividends are normally treated as short term gains, so having those come in tax free is advantageous too. 0% tax on capital gains is still better than. 15% (or more if you’re a high earner). The Roth also offers some indirect advantages over regular accounts, like not being counted on your kids’ college financial aid applications.
  
  Jan 22 1
- New incognlto
  
  @spotify: have you heard of "qualified dividends v.s. unqualified?" Passed into law by gw bush.
  
  Jan 23 0
Microsoft / Product Brazukamore

What's the other company

Jan 16 8 10
- Google TheNimbles
  
  I think that’s why he’s saying “X” instead of the company. So no one will know him.
  
  Jan 21 9
- Snapchat svai
  
  @create hey I read that 😡😡 😂😂😂
  
  Jan 21 6
- Microsoft / Eng Max401k
  
  🤦🏽‍♂️
  
  Jan 21 0
- Amazon brig
  
  If it's another large software company like he mentioned in his OP then no one will know know even if he replaced the X with the company name
  
  Jan 22 3
- Google TheNimbles
  
  Right, but he doesn’t want people to know
  
  Jan 22 0
Sapient Razorfish / Mktg GjSv57

Google has free food, gym allowance, massage, big personal study / training contribution

Jan 16 20 7
- Sapient Razorfish / Mktg GjSv57
  
  It is to ease your life, everyone decides for himself what to do and commit. Man up guys (both women and man meant)
  
  Jan 21 1
- Netflix isitme
  
  Is the massage with happy ending?
  
  Jan 21 17
- Google / Eng mad👩🏻‍🔬
  
  There's no gym allowance I'm aware of, but there are gyms
  
  Jan 21 2
- Unity McGyver
  
  @isitme yes by sundar
  
  Jan 21 7
- Google sisyphus01
  
  NYC has a gym allowance that works out to $33/month after tax. Not much, but appreciated. Also has discounts on monthly memberships at several gyms. Brings total monthly cost of Equinox down to less than $200/mo
  
  Jan 22 0
Nvidia 1029

Internet reimbursement $75, phone plan and phone, free food, free shuttles, various gyms and fitness classes

Jan 16 19 10
- Google / Eng catburglar
  
  How exactly do I claim this?
  
  Jan 21 0
- Google nooglerx
  
  Do you moma bro?
  
  Jan 21 3
- Yelp / Eng jeremystop
  
  @catburglar google it
  
  Jan 23 0
- New pezon
  
  go/internetreimbursement
  
  Jan 23 1
- Intel goodnight!
  
  @Nvidia: Wait .. you said phone plan ?
  
  Jan 24 0
Amazon / PR jefe_bezos

FWIW, I had an offer for ~350 from another company and google was at ~300. Google countered with “less” salary and more stock but ultimately equal TC. I was boggled and declined.

Jan 21 15 8
- Amazon / PR jefe_bezos
  
  L4. Nobody has ever asked me for proof before, nor would I give it.
  
  Jan 21 2
- VMware / Eng andor
  
  That's a very good offer. I think you should have taken it. Do you mind sharing the other company? And what was G offer's split?
  
  Jan 22 0
- Google Woopsy
  
  In general I'm personally ok to take "less" base for more RSU (in a public company), but it depends on your situation: landlords look mostly at the base, same for lending institutions.
  
  Jan 22 0
- Facebook liam
  
  I would trade base for stock any time at G or FB. Stocks wouldn't affect your refreshes size but your base would grow faster.
  
  Jan 22 0
- Atlassian / Eng Luffy, M.Dmore
  
  I took the job at Atlassian over another offer with the same TC /in part/ because the cash vs stock balance of the Atlassian offer was a lot more cash.
  
  Stock comp is at the mercy of the market which can fuck everybody's stock even if your company is doing well, bonus targets are usually only based on your company's performance, and base usually never goes down.
  
  Jan 23 0
Lyft crossfire

Do the needful on blind please, share the offers !

Jan 16 20 1
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  Added more details to OP
  
  Jan 17 0
Microsoft / Product MrHyde🎃🎃

How much of a difference. I would pitch it to the recruiter and see what they can do. Usually Google is good about matching or coming close

Jan 16 20 1
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  That's the first thing I'm trying, but just trying to get thoughts in case it doesn't work out
  
  Jan 16 0
Google airdoogler

Offices all over the world, with automatic approval to work from any office 2 days a month. If you have the means, frequent world travel is very, very doable. And extended time working overseas just needs manager approval

Jan 21 19 0
New ktFx33

They pay for adoption

Jan 16 14 1
- Google MxKP36
  
  I think it's up to $25k.
  
  Jan 21 1
Gusto 9001

“another large software company on the west coast (prefer not to say name to keep anonymity)”

So you think we’ll be able to identify you by knowing that you work at MS and have an offer from Google and from another large company? Lol what kind of triangulation do you think we’re capable of?

Jan 21 15 0
RingCentral / Eng Dwdx48

I want my eggs warm

Jan 18 14 1
- New JohnMcPop
  
  Make an omlet outta them
  
  Jan 21 0
Google GFvm67

Amazing parent benefits, automatic life insurance where your family will receive 1/2 your salary for 10 years if something happens to you, backup care for chdren or parents (in home, 10 days per year).

Jan 21 5 3
- Google whatsgood
  
  This. Google will pay your surviving spouse 50% your salary for 10 yrs if you die. That’s not in the hr benefits. It’s a stealth benefit. I have confirmation that they pay out on this. It is separate from your traditional life / disability insurance.
  
  Jan 21 1
- Google Woopsy
  
  Also they vest all your RSUs immediately in case of death.
  
  Jan 22 1
- Splunk KE94107
  
  And that’s supposed to make me want to work there? Making me worth more dead than alive to my spouse/heirs?
  
  Jan 22 6
Microsoft StevoBallo

Just hope it's not Amazon you're competing against google. Amazon gives you all that money because that's all they give you, except for bananas. You'll also get worked worked at Amazon vs Google

Jan 21 13 1
- Facebook Moth
  
  Yeah, if it’s Amazon, there’s a lot you need to know to discount their numbers.
  
  Jan 21 0
Facebook liam

20 paid hours to volunteer

Jan 21 5 3
- GE / Eng JwBstrdmore
  
  How is it volunteering if you're paid to do it?
  
  Jan 21 4
- Flagged by the community.
- Facebook liam
  
  You paid by Google, but volunteer for (almost) any non-profit, on top of that G would pay an extra $10/hr to non-profit.
  
  Jan 22 0
Veritas / Strategy xWfa06

They pay for freezing your eggs, but I don’t think you’ll care

Jan 17 9 0
LinkedIn valleyguy

Does Google still have the Deferred Compensation Plan for non-exec employees? (The one where you can put pre-tax money in their internal hedge fund, and it gets paid out along with earnings starting like 3 years later.)

Jan 21 8 3
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  They sent me that as part of their comp booklet but I didn't quite understand it. Can you share more about that?
  
  Jan 21 0
- Roku Jerome
  
  Never heard about this during my google offers
  
  Jan 21 0
- LinkedIn valleyguy
  
  OP your booklet has more up to date info than I do. Estimating how much more it can earn you or save you in taxes is complicated, you'll have to talk to a tax accountant. DCPs at most companies are only for execs, so what Google does is very cool and unusual.
  
  Jan 21 0
Google / Eng prodaccessmore

Op, you need to share more details on the offers and companies to get meaningful answers.

For example, one thing can will affect you TC over time is the stock refresh. Google is pretty generous on those but we have no idea about the other company you are talking about.

Jan 16 7 2
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  Added more details above, but unfortunately can't share the name of the other company yet.
  
  Can you tell me more about the stock refreshers at Google for L4?
  
  Jan 17 0
- Apple / Eng cho Chang
  
  Fb E4 target annual refresher is 70k over 4 years; G should be similar.
  
  Jan 21 1
Microsoft ScubyDuBDu

Op more details would help us provide better suggestions. Like level at Ms, YOE and I understand keeping the other company anonymous but sometimes money isn't worth enough. Even a 50k higher TC may not be worth it if the company is not doing good, wlb is bad etc. Eg Snapchat. There are ipoed and their offers are still bigger than Google but not worth it. Also yearly refresher at the other company and a lot of other things come into play. So not sure if any advice without the other companie's name is going to be much useful.

Jan 21 2 7
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  Thanks for the tip. It's just my paranoia for now. I might post the company name after I accept the offer.
  
  For now, the other company is a *public* large software company with good wlb, and it's not snap. It's not FAANG.
  
  At what point would you consider the higher offer in terms of $$ vs. Google?
  
  Jan 21 0
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  Also I don't believe it's a sinking ship company
  
  Jan 21 0
- Oracle zyxw
  
  Please tell me it's not OCI!!
  
  Jan 21 0
- Microsoft / Eng bro12
  OP
  
  It's not OCI
  
  Jan 21 0
- Amazon Akxhsbsuha
  
  Oh man, it is Oracle. Lol. Take the Google offer and don’t look back
  
  Jan 23 0

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