Offer comparison: Alphabet vs Unicorn

Uber / Eng
TC * GTFO

Go to company page Uber Eng

BIO
L3 @ Uber
TC * GTFO
Jul 24, 2020 8 Comments

Sorry for being so vague, just don't wanna get doxxed since both are not very large companies.

Received 2 offers:

Unicorn close to IPO (<1 yr)
Equivalent of L3
$148k base
10% bonus
$200k stock in RSUs/4 yrs, 1 yr cliff
TC: 213k

Alphabet company, not waymo (negotiated)
L3
$152k base
15% bonus
105k options/4 yrs, 1 yr cliff. Options at a very low strike price (can't say more about this)
TC: 175k + paper money

Alphabet company has better benefits and much, much more upside, but the stock is not close to liquidity. I'm also more interested in the type of work there. Neither was willing to give a sign on bonus. Alphabet increased their offer, but the unicorn wouldn't budge. I'm leaning towards Alphabet despite the difference in liquid compensation.

YOE: ~1 @ Uber
Previous TC: $170k

comments

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TOP 8 Comments
  • Alphabet company, money ain’t everything. Go for the interesting work + upside.

    Worst case scenario, you take your experience and level up...

    Lol, also Hedge your bets, buy IPO shares of the other company
    Jul 24, 2020 1
  • I'd personally go with the Alphabet company. Seems like a good opportunity. Cant say more without knowing the specifics ofc.

    That base is sweet. How did you get 152k with L3?
    Jul 24, 2020 1
    • Uber / Eng
      TC * GTFO

      Go to company page Uber Eng

      BIO
      L3 @ Uber
      TC * GTFO
      OP
      Thanks for the advice. I feel a little crazy leaning towards the lower TC option but it seems like it could be way better in the long term. I negotiated that base up a bit, but other than that, interviews went really well for both companies.
      Jul 24, 2020
  • 1 YOE? Go with the one you think you will enjoy + ideally learn from.
    Jul 24, 2020 0
  • Pandora
    myplantdie

    Go to company page Pandora

    myplantdie
    You don't need me to say this, but in the end you'll be happy you chose the Alphabet
    Jul 25, 2020 0
  • NVIDIA
    rJVD03

    Go to company page NVIDIA

    rJVD03
    $200k from pre IPO is not a real money. The company can dilute your stock if they decide to get additional investment and you have no say in the process. If you want to get off before IPO, you can only sell your stocks at a significant discount. So the expected cost of the RSU would be pretty comparable or lower if you project the growth of Google stocks as well. It would be safer to take the real money unless you believe in the founders of the company.
    Jul 24, 2020 1
    • Uber / Eng
      TC * GTFO

      Go to company page Uber Eng

      BIO
      L3 @ Uber
      TC * GTFO
      OP
      The offer is a set amount of shares and they already confidentially filed, but good point about dilution
      Jul 24, 2020