Do we get blacklisted if we turn down two PM-T roles at Amazon?
Hi all, I've been offered a L5 PM-T role in the GES (Global Engineering Services) group at Amazon. But it involves me moving to Seattle, and I am being pushed by the recruiter to make a decision ASAP. I should add that I live in Canada, and this is a big move for me (selling my house, kids out of school, moving internationally, etc.) I am happy to say that this is my 2nd amazon offer, but with both these jobs something doesn't seem right. They both seem to heavy on the product, and not the technical (SDLC, Agile, issues, etc.). I know I am being selfish, but in my gut, I just don't feel its a good fit. People keep telling me "Take the role ... any role, and change roles if you don't like it", but that doesn't seem like a good idea. Plus, I am moving internationally, so I'd like to find a role that I can hang my hat on for a few years. Question for the mavericks out there. If I turn down this job, am I blacklisted with all Amazon recruiters (marked as "Do not hire")? In both cases, I never signed anything. My goal is to work in AWS/Alexa and to work remotely either here in Canada, or remotely based out of Florida where my sister lives. I did a search on Amazon careers, and there are a handful of remote AWS L5 PM-T jobs (obviously a truckload more at the L5 Sr. PM-T level). Thoughts?
I welcome more comments.
My partner works at Amazon, and the reason why people keep saying take it and switch is because it's really easy once you're in Amazon, and it's much easier than interviewing again. The internal interview process is not that complicated. As for working remotely, there are issues with working from Canada, however again, if you're already in Amazon it may be easier to find a team that supports your switch or let's you do that once you've proved yourself or found a team that's okay with it (many of my partners coworkers moved to Canada / London), however they will most likely lower your pay (~30% seems to be the norm for US to Canada). Within the US it may actually be harder, again depends on the team culture and also visa restrictions / other consideration. Some teams are currently trying to get their teams to return to office, but also many managers don't really care. For example, my partner's current team does not care at all and we're now on a green card so there is a little more flexibility, but last team did and his H1b was tied to Seattle
My honest opinion is - do not join amazon unless you’re young on your career and would benefit from the name on your CV. Amazon is not a place where you go and stay in one team. The company has a very open policy to change teams at anytime because ppl get burned out on their roles and this is the only way the company has to avoid attrition. Amazon is not a good company, the culture is toxic, stress is high, managers are awful and the chance of you not being happy is very high. Especially moving counties for the job with a family, it’s too risky considering you’d be even more stuck with amazon once you move. I’m leaving amazon after 5 yrs and have no idea how I managed to stay this long.
Have you asked to be remote vs move? I know a lot of teams really want to go back to the office but haven't yet and I know some that, for the right canadate will allow remote. Maybe ask to do remote for X amount of time , maybe a school year and then before that time is up apply to a role based in Canada and do an intneral transfer. Amazon typically sees internal transfers every 1-3 years. So it's not common to hang your hat anywhere. Though I personally choose to stay longer with one team so it is possible I will say it's not 'easier' to internal transfer all the time. If you do it above board your manager will be notified and if you don't get the spot you won't have 'high' potential in future reviews. Instead you have to have an informal coffee chat and informally loop to avoid political issues if you don't accept or get the role. You still have to loop and you still have to 'raise' the bar. You also can't level up in an internal change. It's easier as an external candidate to be hired in at a higher level. That said if you want to buy time with the recruiter maybe try to negotiate for L6 or remote.
I would not take this risk as I have heard people who relocated with family only soon to be Pip ed by Amzon ..
What tc did they offer?
No, it was a Seattle job and you didn’t want to move, not a big deal.