SWE @ Google Zurich

New
HptY54

New

HptY54
Oct 17, 2019 29 Comments

Hi all,

I've passed the interview and are currently in the team match phase for G Zurich office. No offer yet (doing team match first I guess). It is taking a long time - allegedly new head counts need to be approved.

- Is anybody here working as a SWE in G Zurich willing to share their experience? How is the work environment? WLB?
- Do you have a team to recommend or do you know of a team that is looking for new people?

As our proprieties in life tend to change - I'm looking for input from a mid-career 30 something point of view.

Thanks!

TC: 130k
YOE: 10

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TOP 29 Comments
  • Google / Eng
    stty

    Go to company page Google Eng

    stty
    Work environment and wlb same as US. Money less than US. Projects suck, feels like a satellite office tbh. Go for US if you can for money and projects.
    Oct 17, 2019 8
    • New
      KuqP64

      New

      KuqP64
      What about health insurance? Can you share more details about health insurance in Zurich compared to US?
      Oct 17, 2019
    • Google / Eng
      stty

      Go to company page Google Eng

      stty
      Basic health insurance is government regulated, coverage prescribed by law, all essential treatments covered except dental. It is mandatory and costs money depending on deductible amount, place of residence, insurer. i pay ~300 Fr a month in Zurich for a plan with highest possible 2500 Fr deductible (per year) then 10% copay up to 700 Fr out of pocket cost max. Google pays you a fixed 350 Fr a month extra on top of your regular salary towards your health costs, that's all, you choose and pay insurer yourself.

      Hospital stays in a shared room are covered, but private room costs extra. Ambulance ride costs extra. Non essential cosmetic treatments not covered. Dental not covered and pretty expensive, there are optional insurances you can get but generally it is a total ripoff in CH, people do their teeth in EU for way cheaper, paying cash.
      Oct 17, 2019
  • 130K for Zurich is pretty low (and at Google). You will be living in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

    Sorry this does not answer your question.
    Oct 17, 2019 7
  • New
    KuqP64

    New

    KuqP64
    Congratulations on the results!

    I was in a similar position before. I cleared HC and was waiting for a team match for a long time.

    It took me about 3 months to find a team due to low head count. There is nothing you can do - just wait and constantly ping your recruiter.

    Do you mind sharing which level are you being considered for?
    Oct 17, 2019 7
    • New
      HptY54

      New

      HptY54
      OP
      More or less. First you solve the medium, and then we continued with modifications going more toward hard.

      You can pick, laptop or whiteboard. I started on whiteboard for design, and moved to laptop for coding.
      Oct 17, 2019
    • Oh! thanks a lot. I always somehow find it hard to code under time with edge cases etc taken care of. Even after all the practice, something remains.
      Oct 17, 2019
  • Google
    BillGatesM

    Go to company page Google

    BillGatesM
    How much can you save for a average single/family L3-5?
    Oct 17, 2019 2
    • New
      HptY54

      New

      HptY54
      OP
      For the all the basic expenses we spend 6k/month (2 adults). But as soon as you start going out in CH the expenses go up quickly.
      Oct 17, 2019
    • IBM / Data
      bbWI22

      Go to company page IBM Data

      bbWI22
      You’ll get free food at google, so that might cut some expenses
      Oct 17, 2019
  • Yandex
    some_other_guy

    Go to company page Yandex

    some_other_guy
    Congrats!
    Just have to warn you, that this team matching can take several months. I’m still waiting from July :(
    Oct 20, 2019 0