Avoiding a PIP at Amazon
I received an offer from Amazon: L5 SDE. I was excited, but concerned, given all of the talk about PIPs at Amazon. But, I like the opportunity too much, and I’m going to go for it. What are the common mistakes these PIP recipients make? How do I avoid one myself?
Seek feedback from your manager. Get your job done, and communicate clearly when you can’t.
This may work at other places, but in Amazon, you might come as weak. You don’t want to mention pip, but could ask about “how is the performance culture” and “what do top performers do” or “what are common mistakes people make”.
So what do you recommend? Just ask my manager these questions?
Mistakes PIPs do is not perform. I have a friend who’s not really working hard (Seattle), in spite of that never received a pip. So getting a pip is not that common.
You have zero clue since you are basing this on your one friend. It freaking happens a lot. GTFO
PIPs always happen at Amazon. They want you to work 70 hours a week. Anything less results in a PIP written with confusing word salad.
Best way us don’t join amazon
Given FB's terrible WLB and competitiveness, I'd say you should simmer down. Twitch is owned by Amazon. We may not be representative, but wlb is chill, and PIPs are used mainly for political reasons (to manage someone out) or low performance. If you develop a good relationship with your manager, and that means you invest in it even if they don't, you will be ok.
But I like simmering up. Okay I admit I’m a hypocrite but that doesn’t really mean much in altering my message. But you know what do I know I’m just a doctor.
Common mistakes: - Join Amazon as a loner and expect people to be nice and helpful - Not constantly evaluating your situation to see who might be PIP if manager has to pick one. - Not changing team when things turn sour. - Let manager know you're trying to switch team. - Leaving while on devlist, and forfeit a huge severance
Nice list! What’s devlist?
Kiss your managers ass. Never let your manager think that you have any thoughts except how to make him look amazing by working your tail off. Think of pip as a bear chasing your entire team. The closer You are to your managers ass who is in the lead, and not one of the last people in line behind him/ her running from The bear, the bear will pick off someone else.
Don’t get into that SHIT bro. Be happy. Amazon not worth it.
Op, Amazon is such a large and diverse place that I can only offer a broad set of principles that are vague enough to apply in most situations. - Have backbone, Don’t take it lying down - Earn trust though maintaining secrecy - Develop the best contacts outside your team and org. - Be curious when in doubt seek advice from the community on Blind - deliver results important for you, your manager and the customer, in that order. - finally, plan your career and actively work smart towards achieving your goals. Have fun and leetcode leave before your experience at Amazon turns sour.
Come and get piped out with severanve!
OP "What are the common mistakes these PIP recipients make?" well they read all about Amazon and the PIP culture and then they say "But, I like the opportunity too much, and I’m going to go for it." so that is the common mistake these PIP recipients made.
gonna agree with this... You are drawn in by the money, and its exactly this mentality that people get piped...
TC? Yoe?
$260k; 9 years
Bay area?