I'm an SDE2 at Amazon. 6 months in role. TC 180K. On a whim, I interviewed at HBO and got an offer for Staff Engineer (equivalent title). 200K in cash and bonuses, and they're probably willing to go higher. Also, 35-hour work week. I'm looking at 3 options: 1. Go to HBO. I'm leaning away from this because I'm afraid my career wouldn't grow as fast, although the TC bump and work-life balance are attractive. 2. Stay in current role, keep studying for interviews, interview at F/G/M + others in a few months. I'm leaning toward this. 3. Tell my manager about the job offer and ask for a raise. I don't know if people actually do this, and I'm also afraid of hurting my excellent relationship with my manager. Thoughts?
I also vote for #2. Although, 6 months is quite short to already switch companies... I would honestly stay until I have at least a couple of impactful projects before considering a move.
That's a good point - to clarify, I was promoted from SDE1, so I've been at Amazon a while.
Ah okay, in that case ignore what I said. I think you are actually in the perfect time to move then! (if that's what you want) Definitely prepare hard and shoot for FB/G level though imo.
I tried to used my Microsoft offer to get a raise at amazon and they said no. Idk if amazon will actually match external.
1 or 2, not 3. 2 is best.
Not 3
#3 is just business. Your manager has done that conversation before. That being said I had trouble negotiating at AMZN before so I’d choose #1
If business goes down, he would be the first one to go since his manager will remember.
I would do #3 only when I was actually going to move if it doesn't work out. 20k is not worth it.
Why not 1 AND 2 ? Take the new role and continue studying for F/G/M
What level at HBO? L4 or L5? Traditionally HBO hasn’t provided much career opportunity and really has just been a place to chill, make a decent salary, and watch your kids grow up. Great place to be in your mid 30s, maybe not your 20s though. Those times are a changing though thanks to our AT&T overlords. Lots of really interesting challenges are coming down the pipeline. If your primary concern coming to HBO is career growth, I wouldn’t be as worried about that.
I am actually in my mid-30s and planning to have a kid this year (this is a second career), so this perspective is really valuable. Thanks! I'm not sure what level. Staff Engineer, not Senior Staff Engineer. I'm currently an L5 at Amazon, but I'm not sure how that translates.
You are probably coming on as a L4. It’s hard to know for sure based on that TC number. HBO might be perfect for you if you are planning on having a kid. The WLB here is amazing. I’ve thought about looking elsewhere but with little kids I don’t think I could get what I have here anywhere else. And now is a particularly interesting time to start. We have lots of really interesting problems coming down the pipeline. The next couple years here will provide a lot of opportunity to have impact. I will echo the advice of others in the thread though. Only come on if you plan to stick it out for at least a couple years. You can then look at FAANG later. But if you want FAANG before then, stay at Amazon.
6 mo is too short to stay at a company. Stay 1+ year at least. Go with option #2, keep practicing
What does HBO have besides GoT? And even that is only licensed. I don't see them having much of a chance against the many others now entering the streaming media space. They don't have enough content.
GoT prequels?
I find they always have something. Entourage, the wire, got, etc