Career advice

Amazon
macz

Go to company page Amazon

macz
Dec 3, 2020 6 Comments

My career is going nowhere. Before MBA from a top school, I was doing great in finance, after MBA I moved to product management at Amazon. I ended up in a team with a super problematic manager - put me on a dev plan in my third month of work. I completed the dev plan successfully and was looking to move teams. During the dev plan phase, I had reached out to a few recruiters and a recruiter from a very reputable, pre-ipo, people-dying-to-work-there-for-potential-stock-appreciation company replied. The company interviewed me for a product strategy role and I got through. Got an offer that increased my base by a bit and got a bunch of very valuable stocks. I took up the offer only to later learn that my role was that of a program manager. At this point I had limited options as my visa application had just been picked up in h1b lottery through my new employer. I decided to stick it out for a couple of years and go back to product management eventually. This company turned out to be worse than Amazon on terms of pip and politics. They have the most non-competent, abrasive people in leadership positions. Turns out my director (my skip) did not like my 'build fast, fail quick' style. I took her feedback and slowed down and then I was not meeting her expectations. Last week I was told I am being let go - no feedback given, one call with the hr and a bunch of docs to sign so that I get to keep my h1b status for a couple months. I have a few questions:
a) I need a job - have to pay business school loans. How do I justify two tenures of 8 months on my resume? Any advice on how to build my story...
b) I am feeling very low - I have reflected multiple times on my work at both the places. I acknowledge my weaknesses and things I could have done better. How do I convince myself I won't fail at the next job?
c) Before accepting a job how do you folks vet for potential signs of toxic culture especially when the company advertises heavily about their supportive, diversity oriented culture?

I am looking for a mentor as well - someone who has faced these challenges and can point me to some resources to keep mind off self harming, non-productive thoughts that I keep having. Tc -0.

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TOP 6 Comments
  • Similar situation. Looking for mentor myself
    Dec 3, 2020 0
  • GrubHub
    MbxY06

    Go to company page GrubHub

    MbxY06
    It’s just 16 months. You will figure your way out of this. Market is hot.

    DM if you want help with recruiting.
    Dec 9, 2020 0
  • You should learn more about corporate politics, managing up..
    Dec 5, 2020 0
  • Visa
    XCYW31

    Go to company page Visa

    XCYW31
    I’m so sorry to hear about this. Are you open to moving back to your home country? Honestly it’s tough being on h1b and having an expiry date on when u can find ur job. If u r open to moving home, then u can take some time out to think about what u truly want to do. If you want to stick it here in the US, maybe go to a startup in a flexible role where they can afford u lots of mobility to move around to discover what you want while providing you with h1b sponsorship and income.

    8 months of tenure is fine - blame it on Covid - lots of people got laid off.
    Dec 3, 2020 0
  • Blame 2nd job on covid and get back to it. It’s sellable. Try to aim for an old F500 with a laid back culture. Focus on fitting in. Get the paycheck and then starting thinking long term. You will get through this. If you move cities that’s even better.
    Dec 13, 2020 0