I recently got an offer from Uber that is a downlevel. I told the recruiter I wanted to interview for a senior role, having over 8 years of experience. Then the actual interview came around and I didnt pay much attention to the fact that the position I was interviewing for said Backend Engineer (not Senior Backend Engineer). So the offer comes in and its a level 4 as I suspected. There was mixed feedback in the interview panel, with some interviewers recommending me for level 5. I go back and forth with the recruiter, and they are able to set up another interview with a hiring manager. But unfortunately, that manager did not recommend level 5. I think my best course of action here is to respectfully decline the offer. Based on what ive read on blind, the recent trend at Uber has been to uplevel engineers so the tc can match their competing offers, so Im guessing they are either downleveling now, or I simply bombed that interview. Hypothetical worst case but likely scenario here: I take the L4 offer, dont get promoted because Uber is sinking, get laid off in six months. Then other companies use my level at Uber as the source of truth and I beat myself up for accepting a downlevel. The green Uber juice just isnt worth the squeeze.
Given the occurrences of past couple days ... U really considering?
I was mostly curious, but I don’t have competing offers yet and am tired of the interview grind.
Hi 👋🏼
If money is good just accepted the offer. People need money, not title, to live
Their offers are much lower now. Level 4 is below my range. If they let me work remote maybe.
If pay is not good just pass even for promotion. Uber level is not that valuable any more
What school did u graduate from ? And where did u work before ?
Cs degree from top 100 state school. Mostly startups, no super well known companies due to being in hum drum middle of nowhere. They are probably treating my experience as less relevant due to the perceived low prestige of the companies I’ve worked at. I’ve shipped a ton of products end to end, and have had enough impact to get companies acquired.
Join another well known company in the bay as a Senior, vest, then apply to Uber again later. It's not even a question of company layoffs or stock price.
Op, you should decide based on total comp, not level. Leveling can be different between companies. Even as L4, you will get good work.
That may be true, depending on the manager and luck. But recruiters and managers in the Bay Area are familiar with levels at known companies. They know that a software engineer at Uber is one level above a fresh grad.
Which company are you at right now? And what’s your level?
Wait ! How do u know my story.... but surprising that it’s happening in DK era
Going from 4 to 5 is harder than before so don’t bank on it
I’m a recruiter...don’t trip about levels, it’s all about comp. We ask about comp, not level. The next company you go to will level you however they want, not on the level of your current company
Thanks for your input. I think this is mostly true for smaller companies. But I’m concerned that larger companies will factor in my current level.
Lyft is so right! If you’re already thinking about leaving Uber even before you join, then you’re right, you should not join. YOLO: spend the time working on things which excite you.
Run from this shithole. There are rumors about upcoming layoffs. No one is safe. I saw lot of new hires getting canned. Not safe company to work at all.
This. Taking a step down in my career and getting laid off is a double whammy.
No layoffs coming. Eng and prod already done.
Any recruiters telling you level is not important, dont believe them, it is very important to your career. Also yearly adjustment and bonuses are based on level. At thia point perhaps best to walk away, see if they budge, but continue interviewing and get a Senior offer and renegotiate. Trust me, do not go in and think you can get promoted easily, it is a warzone
Most likely low scores on the interviews
Yippee how u been ?
I just commented on your post too haha. I've been good, you?