[Context: I had just passed Google HC (at L4) before the hiring freeze was announced so I don’t have an offer in hand yet technically and am still waiting to hear if my role is still alive. I received an offer from Square and need to decide this week] I received an offer for L5 at Square and - assuming hiring freeze goes in my favor - I likely will receive an L4 offer at Google. Assuming I get both offers, I am heavily leaning towards Square despite the lowered brand recognition, here’s my line of thinking: (1) Compensation will likely be ~80k higher at Square. They offered 330k (200 base, 20 bonus, 110k RSU) whereas Google will likely come at around 250k at best, according to levels.fyi. (2) Square RSU has much more upside to 2-3x in the next 2-3 years, vs. Google which will likely increase 25% YoY or so at best. Definitely higher risk with Square equity but my risk appetite is high at this point in my career. (3) If I take Google L4 now, it will likely take 2-3 years to move up to L5 and another 3+ years to get to L6. I am thinking that it may be more efficient to re-apply to Google after 3-4 years and aim for L6 then. Within 4 years, it should be possible for me to get ~2 promotions at Square. (4) Scope of work seems much higher at Square vs. Google. Furthermore, there seems to be much less bureaucracy there vs. Google, where all my interviewers mentioned matrix-based decision making is a huge pain in the a**. I definitely feel I can make larger impact at Square then Google. So what do ya’ll think? At the onset of this interview process, Google was clear cut #1 choice but given the current circumstances, I’m leaning a lot more towards Square due to higher initial comp, higher potential comp and opportunity to move up faster and re-apply to Google later in my career. TC: 230k, 5 yoe
Take Square, let Google know that you are doing it because you expect more from your self and want to take on larger scope at Square. Google will ping you every 6 months, spend 18-24 months at square, keep pushing back until Google is willing to give you a L6. I just accepted an offer at Google. Declined them in 2017 and 2019. Google has pinged me 6 months like clockwork.
It is incorrect to assume Google l4 max is 250. My l4 pm offer was 330 first year. Remember Google rsu is front loaded and average employee will get refresher for year 3, 4. And I am just in a lcol city. If you want to eventually end up at Google, you should be aware of the fact that Google's interview result can be arbitrary. Getting an offer once doesnt always guarantee an offer in the future, especially if you will be interviewing for a higher level later. If you think Google is just another company and you don't care if you can eventually join Google, then go for the money. If getting in Google is one of your goals, then this can be a tough decision for you. Good luck deciding
This is good insight, I will definetely wait and see what final offer from Google is (assuming hiring freeze outcome is favorable) rather than assuming 250k is max. Curious - how are you liking Google? It's always been a goal to work there but I don't know if I would feel the same after 12 months+ given how bureaucratic/restrictive things seems
I am only a few weeks in. So far I like it a lot. Compared to other tech/fang that I have worked in, the team I am in has a pretty well defined expectation for PM and there are good partners like TPM (technical program manager) and EM that I can work closely with. In the other two tech/fang that I've worked in, both places expected me to work more like a TPM than actual PM.
Take square, Google's uncertainty is not a guarantee at this point unless you signed the offer with the manager. Also from your post it seems that Square is the solid choice.
This is a no brainer. Square L5. if you don’t like square you can just go to google as an L5. The google product ladder is notoriously slow at promo and development. You’ll for sure regret taking the delevel.
It's not the TC that matters, but the fact that you'll be up level to L5. That'll bring u much higher returns in the future, assuming u don't mess up
Can you expand?
This 👍 The earlier you move up the ladder and get more responsibility, the growth in learning and TC compounds over the course of your entire career. Becoming an l5 now means that you've shaved off 1-2 years off the next promo and pay bump
Ask for more :)
“Gay” as a generic term of disparagement? Do better.
Isn’t google L4 = PM2?
What’s your current net worth?
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No, you'll be crazy if you choose Google.