Should I go to Amazon?

IBM
cuhhh

Go to company page IBM

cuhhh
Jul 5, 2020 55 Comments

I hope those of you in the US had a safe and happy 4th of July.

I am considering an offer from Amazon (Alexa org), but after doing 10 min worth lf research around here, it seems like Amazon can be quite a toxic place.

Here’s the deal -
My current job is rather easy. All I do is develop and maintain Java applications and services. I’m the only SWE in my team, so it’s kind of hard to imagine what growth would look like if I stayed with my team. I have about 2 YOE (all IBM) and my current TC is 110k.

I recently started interviewing because I wanted to find a job where I could see more opportunities to become a better engineer. I interviewed for a SDE2 role at Amazon and got an offer. Also interviewed at G and FB (Enterprise Engineer) and made it to the onsite stages, but didn’t pass “leadership review”. Other smaller companies I applied to didn’t even give me a phone screen.

Amazon is offering 240k TC. Seeing as to this would increase my TC by over 2x and obviously would provide more career growth opportunities than my current job, I feel like I’d be a fool not to take it. I am aware of the risk of PIP at Amazon, but I am willing to work hard. I don’t see myself as a super star, and never have, so working hard and grinding it out is already something I’m used to. Is this enough to survive 3-4 years at Amazon as SDE2?

TL;DR:
I have 2 YOE. Should I leave a cushy 110k TC job for 240k TC at Amazon? What are your tips to stay afloat in the wild river Amazon apparently is?

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TOP 55 Comments
  • Why wouldn’t you?
    Jul 5, 2020 4
  • Amazon / Eng
    msip

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    msip
    No brainer, move to Amazon. All the horror stories that you read about Amz are true. But given that you have already learned what you could have learned at IBM, moving to Amazon will be a great learning opportunity, Resume will look better, and obviously monetary value is too high to ignore.
    Only way to survive Amazon is dont get too attached to the company, always be ready to jump ship. You never know which Indian manager or team mate gonna backstab you, or when you will be used as URA sacrificial lamb because everyone else in the team sucks up to leadership, etc.
    Jul 5, 2020 7
    • Amazon / Eng
      msip

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      BIO
      pipmenot dot wordpress dot com
      msip
      Although race has nothing to do with it, but managers who are on immigrant visa/GC queue are more prone to not having backbone. they will do whatever their leadership wants. so, they will try to lookout for their own people (own race, own friends, own past team mates) and put anyone else (any soft targets) under the bus to please their overlords.

      pipmenot dot wordpress dot com
      Jul 11, 2020
    • Amazon
      bcoin_jake

      Go to company page Amazon

      bcoin_jake
      Appreciate the insight.
      Jul 11, 2020
  • Amazon
    xdeface

    Go to company page Amazon

    xdeface
    Definitely take it. Don’t let negative reviews stop you from growing and exploring. There always going to be negative feedback for every company out there. You will likely learn a lot at Amazon and it is good for your resume and they double your TC. Sounds like it worth a try.
    Jul 11, 2020 3
  • I’d recommend you take it. Getting into a FAANG early in your career will do you lots of favors at a later stage. It’s better to jump and experiment early , when you may not have a lot of family responsibilities (or maybe none) and can put all that energy in your career
    Jul 5, 2020 2
  • Amazon
    web_code

    Go to company page Amazon

    web_code
    Just take the risk, some more work pressure is better than having stagnant career growth and feeling depressed about it day to day, you know if you find it too much you can always change to easier job, congrats!
    Jul 5, 2020 1
    • IBM
      cuhhh

      Go to company page IBM

      cuhhh
      OP
      This is true bud. I’d rather take the risk than remain in a stagnant role. Some of the stories I’ve read on here make me wonder if I’m way over my head, but I guess I’ll have to join to find out. And thanks!
      Jul 5, 2020