So I interviewed with Amazon a few weeks ago. The process was super smooth. The hiring manager was nice, seemed involved. HR was engaged and kept his/her promises. During the interviews and the pre screening process, I got a very good idea about the scope of my work and how many people would report to me etc. They made me an offer. But one level below what I interviewed for. Here is the reason it left a bitter taste: 1) I was very clear (with HR and and with hiring manager during informational) even BEFORE the phone screen that I was not willing to consider (the target level -1). Because I heard similar experience from a friend before and it also came up since the HR tried to tell me that while I had had a great career run, I might not have enough number of years of experience for that role. I was firm on my position (I have consistently exceeded in my current position at MS, no reason to be desperate) and they still decided to proceed with phone screen followed by onsite. 2) OK - I know it is possible that after the interviews they might have felt that I was not a good fit for the role or for that scope. But here is the punch line - the HR repeatedly told me that I would have the exact SAME responsibility, scope and same number of reports, yet tried to convince me to come a level below, because I do not have the number of years of experience. Sigh. I declined. Anyone else had similar experience with Amazon??
Yes, same experience. Just think of it as training for other, real interviews.
And it is very good training of behavior question. Now OP can talk to any manager
Shit happens. Stars don’t always align. If you can’t justify the position to them, you’d have issues once you started. No big deal, it happens.
Isn't it fair to offer target level - 1, if you don't meet the target level bar?
1. OP was clear that they're not interested in n-1. 2. If you didn't meet the bar, why would you be promised "the exact SAME responsibility, scope and same number of reports?"
Recruiter is trying to sell the position. Which is why you have the same responsibilities bullshit. It's normal to make an offer at a lower level. It's up to OP to take the offer or not. I rather have the option to reject an offer than not have an offer. Edit: typos
Amazon is notorious for trying to downlevel. However, I had the exact opposite experience recently. I was slated to interview for L5 (coming from L62 at microsoft), but after phone screen they said they would like to interview me for L6. Went through the loop and they made an offer for L6. They tried to lowball me on the offer but accepted what I asked for during negotiation. Overall, I feel they try to find the best fit and set you up for success. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are not satisfied with their offer. Good luck! 😊
I had a similar negative experience. It was much worse in some ways. Experience after getting an offer from Amazon is very much designed to scare away A players who have other options.
I was shooting for L8 when I was coming to Amazon last year. They as usual made an L7 offer but kept comp at L8 level. And I took it.
External hires at Amazon have to “raise the bar” (better than 50% of people in that level) of the target level, whereas internal promotions into that level have to “meet the bar”. Hence you often see this where a candidate is meeting the bar but is an external hire - being offered a level below the one they interviewed for. Taking or not taking it is entirely up to the candidate.
I went through a similar horrific experience... they interviewd me for an L5 TPM and offered me an L4 TPM after interview even with 8 years of work exp and a master's degree... I was desperate to move since I would be working on a niche technology and also there was no learning in my previous job... I'm doing work equivalent to an L6 to be honest... ridiculous levelling guidelines
The experience was horrific and you were desperate and then you blame Amazon, nice.
I interview a lot and this happens ONLY if we have doubt that you don’t meet the bar for that level. This is actually good because we’re not just flat out rejecting you.
Yes this is very common. They want you to jump through all the hoops to get the prize.
Nothing wrong from both the perspective, just not a perfect match, move on.
U probably didn't get my point.
I completely get your point, you were straightforward in what you wanted, Amazon was not honest and they tricked you and low balled you, etc, etc.