Current TC at Amazon is 240K at L5 (Seattle). Going to get promoted to senior dev this year but looks like the trending offers from Facebook (may be Google) are 50-100K more Options 1) Wait it out and become senior at Amazon. May be the cash difference will settle down as we go up levels. Con — less cash and be continuously jealous of all “evaluate my offer” posts 2) Jump the ship and push out the level opportunity by another year or more. Con — It would take more time to go up the ladder. 35 years old, so its important to go up the ladder soon. Thoughts?
Is responsibility increase more time sensitive than comp increase? Also, your amazon comp bump just won’t be that high with how stock increase has gone.
Is responsibility increase more time sensitive than comp increase - Yes, I feel it’s important to increase your impact with time. If I continue to be an IC, its very hard to increase my impact at team/program/org level (in that order). So you are saying there will always be a difference in TC as we go up the ladder. ?
It’s harder to compare compensation across companies. The bottom line is that there has been some tipping point where actual comp had been above others due to stock growth. With low base cap, if stock triples peoples comp and be 2x the target easily. So it’s really a question of where does stock-based comp account for a “significant” part of comp, and do you think Amazon’s stock will keep soaring. Essentially you have a higher guarantee elsewhere, but around 320k comp target (mid- to high- SDE3), half your comp is stock, so getting to 400k requires a 50% stock bump, which may be another few levels up elsewhere. I personally believe the stock will continue to perform well, but not like the last 5 years (>600% growth). If you want impact and don’t mind putting faith in the stock and not your target to pay you well, stick around. Otherwise decide if you’d rather start cashing in elsewhere. Others are recommending promo then leave, and that may give you leverage, but people often really underestimate time to promo here. If the doc isn’t written and with a calibrated reviewer assume you are a year away at best.
Get promoted. Leave. In that order.
Why? It is unlikely google or Facebook will match the newly promoted level. I know they didn't for me. Granted, I still got a TC increase but why waste the effort going through promotion process if it won't be matched?
Never ever underestimate how good a FANG promotion looks on your resume.
There is no guarantee you will be able to get into either google or fb. Amazing how people think it is a given. Don’t compare total comp here with what others are making. Just live your life and be happy man.
Best advice I have read on Blind!
Thats not true, i have a PhD and if there is one thing i am good at, its persistence. I am pretty sure I can handle tough /NP complete problems. I think its just a matter of time and persistence
What TC and level you can get from G and FB does not really depend on your level at Amazon. I have seen both SDE 1 and 3 jumping to G for the same level. It really comes down to years of experience. So do whatever fits you best - if you care for TC then go for it.
fwiw I have a phd friend at amzn that scored a level bump at google (sde 2 to L5)
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Promotion is never certain. If you can get an offer from F or G and 50-100k TC increase right now, go for it. Moving as L5 is less stress, you'll have time to adjust and then continue climbing the ladder.