Just finished my onsite with MSFT this week and got verbal offer from recruiter. Quite low. L62, $137k base, $50k RSU (over 4 yrs, not per yr!), $20k signon. Recruiter seems to be unwilling to negotiate, probably playing some kind of game. I have two offers that have TC $200-220k (but not FAANG), and location and company is not optimal for those offers. I told recruiter my competing offer numbers, but he's giving me the usual crap of how we are at max. My current employer is not FAANG. I also have another MSFT onsite next week. Should I: 1) Play hardball and call the recruiter bluff, aka give me $200k or I walk. What if they rescind and move on to their 2nd choice? I really want to work at MSFT. 2) Reach out to the hiring manager, saying how much I wanna join but they're lowballing me. I really like the team and build good rapport with the manager during onsite. Not sure if going direct to manager is 'allowed'? 3) Stall and go for the other MSFT onsite next week, maybe the team there will give better TC, assuming I get offer? If I do this, how do I manage the inter group politics such that I don't piss off both groups?
Yoe? Role?
4 yrs. SWE.
Typical MSFT HR trick, don’t believe any words from them, the max is just crap. I do see ppl got higher RSU in lower level
200k is senior level TC. You need convince them to bump to 63.
Recent datan on blind indicate that $200k for L62 is doable? I thought L63 was $250k+
You're correct for external offers Dr. Strange. Even interns get 120k stock and 50k cash joining bonuses of return offers. They can certainly do better. Tell the recruiter that and straight up ask for more.
Other onsite won't matter. Different groups are not allowed to make higher offers. All offers go thru the same HR department.
Wait.... So if the other group next week decide that I am L63 material at $200k TC they can't offer it to me?
They can if you turn down the first offer. They are likely not going to give you 63 anyway, but 200k is certainly possible at 62.
OP, stock is too low. Did you interview with faang? Do you think you have a good chance of getting offer from them? I'd say don't accept this crap. Your TC is practically 150k aftet 1st year, not counting the sign on
Other FAANG still in the pipeline...
62 and 4 yoe. No need to complain, imo
How long does it usually take to reach 62?
From 59 average is about 4-5.5 years.
I've seen recent offers around 145/180/40 for 62 and a few higher than that. Not sure why the recruiter is lowballing you. Was your interview perf subpar? If you have the hm's email, send a note saying something like "I think I'm a really good fit for the position and I'd like to take it but I have an offer with better compensation that I intend to take" then be willing to do just that. By all means try to go with the other team in ms but be aware that if they know you are working with another team then will they to "coordinate" the offer. It might work out though, if you turn down the first team for comp reasons as the second team *may* give a better offer..
This.
If non FAANGs can afford to pay you 200-220k, I’d expect MS to be able to pay a lot more. Tell them that explicitly and be prepared to walk. Also that lowball seems super fishy. Is this a recruiter on Microsoft’s payroll or some third party? It isn’t uncommon for third parties to be taking a cut off your salary...
Be able to and want to are not the same thing. And without a competing offer from a "real" company they are often not too inclined to negotiate much unless you really blow them away in the interview.
You don’t have a lot of leverage if you’re not willing to walk away.