Should I wait in Amazon to become L6 or try other companies Google/Fb/Microsoft etc.
I am an L5 SDE at amazon. Based on feedback from my manager and projects in Pipeline (no pun intended) I might be promoted to L6 in 1-2 yrs. Even if I become L6 I don't think I can become L7 or I'll wait here long enough to be L7. Is it worth waiting to become L6 at amazon or try other companies. I'll finish 4 yrs in 5 months.
It is easier to come back in a couple years as l6 if that's what you want.
If you are planning to leave, what difference it makes it you are l5 or l6? Next company will level you based on your interview performance.
Amazon senior title is actually really well respected both inside and outside. Its much easier to be considered for senior or principal level interview if you have limited year of experience. When I interview, I had around 4 yoe, I wasn't considered for senior position. I have seen people getting senior level interview at FANG, Airbnb, Uber Lyft, Snapchat with 3.5 yoe because he is L6 at Amazon
Amazon L6 is considered Senior elsewhere yes and you should land G/F L5 elsewhere irrespective of YOE!
I would say this is true, but it goes both ways. L5 is so broad and listless that anyone who escapes is seen as next level. But for the same reason, sticking around at Amazon to try to score l6 is basically making your career development plan to win the lottery.
L6 is a lottery at amazon. I was 1 year away many times. Then a reorg would happy and suddenly I was a year away again. Took 3 years after the first "your 1 year away" to get promo. FB often hires amazon L5 at E5. Your starting E5 comp will be over 300k and grow fast (refreshers). Just something to consider.
FB puts experienced L5 at E5 loop but most don't pass it and gets downleveled to E4
I was in the same boat, trajectory is to be promoted in 1 year to L6. Our org has several great L6s which means it will be hard to become top tier at L6 so I started looking outside. Recently got a few offers that bumped my comp by 50%. I love my team and work at Amazon but don't feel valued. If you love you team and don't care much about comp, stay at Amazon and get promoted (with the mindset that your TC will be staggered for the foreseeable future, 3-4 years). Otherwise, try outside, the market is hot
That stack ranking...
Yep it sucks ass, if you are not top 20%, you make the same as bottom 5%. It's ridiculous