Amazonians: Is the PIP culture, long hours and lack of WLB worth it?

Expedia Group / Mgmt
jbSerching

Go to company page Expedia Group Mgmt

jbSerching
Sep 19, 2020 27 Comments

I've worked for companies like Amazon demanding long hours, creating frustration and stress.

I left that company for Expedia and couldn't believe how employees here were so entitled, did half ass work and management was, well you can read the headlines.

But I have learned a lot here and did some meaningful work from producing results and developing people around me.

Do you feel as though the cons at Amazon (as my understanding of the folks from blind and a few friends there) are absolutely counter balanced by the pros? And has it gotten better throughout the pandemic?

I'm not trolling, genuinely interested as I've gotten late stage interviews coming up.

TC $165K

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TOP 27 Comments
  • Amazon
    roll_out

    Go to company page Amazon

    roll_out
    No full stop
    Sep 19, 2020 2
    • Expedia Group / Mgmt
      jbSerching

      Go to company page Expedia Group Mgmt

      jbSerching
      OP
      No as the cons do not counter balance the pros? Or it has gotten better during the pandemic?
      Sep 19, 2020
    • Amazon
      roll_out

      Go to company page Amazon

      roll_out
      No as in cons still outweigh the pros in the long term IMO. For me at least it’s cog in a wheel, lots of political BS. Amazon as a whole is successful *in spite* of their corporate culture, not because of it. They do logistics extremely well, and were first big player in cloud.

      Things happen slowly, and are not of high quality. Tech stack is old and isn’t fun to work with.

      Like my other reply to this, if you choose to work here, use the brand name because Amazon doesn’t give any fucks about you. Take what you can, use the name for resume and leave. Even in my short time here I see young smart people get Stockholm syndrome and stay longer than they should be.
      Sep 19, 2020
  • Google
    iCEi06

    Go to company page Google

    iCEi06
    There's a reason why the average person lasts only 2 years. I'm glad I did it - I'm a better engineer because of Amazon. But you'll learn both what, and what not to do.

    If you feel you have room to grow, do it. But just know it likely isn't long term. Not because of pip culture, but because you eventually go looking for more of a culture of respect.
    Sep 19, 2020 2
    • Amazon / Eng
      abc_

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      PRE
      Amazon
      abc_
      'culture of respect' that pretty much articulates what I deeply feel
      Sep 19, 2020
    • New
      Qufm60

      New

      Qufm60
      I'd agree, Amzn is a great training place for yourself. After 3 or 4 years, you do begin to drag though
      Sep 20, 2020
  • Amazon
    roll_out

    Go to company page Amazon

    roll_out
    Go through the interview process, give it your best shot. If offered, here’s what I would do:

    1. Negotiate higher just for shits
    2. Take the offer, stay for 1 year and jump ship to somewhere else, leveraging Amazon brand name to open more doors.
    Sep 19, 2020 1
  • Zocdoc
    Go

    Go to company page Zocdoc

    Go
    Amazon is modern day slavery.
    Sep 19, 2020 0
  • Amazon
    zLiV40

    Go to company page Amazon

    zLiV40
    It was not worth it for me. Ended up leaving before the one year mark. Currently looking for a new job but I feel so much happier than I did when I was working there.
    Sep 19, 2020 1