I’m an American citizen who moved to Bangalore when I was 5 years old. Went to an Ivy League school in the US on a full ride, and then worked in big tech as a PM for 6 years. Just got hit with my 3rd layoff in 6 years when I was working as an L5 PM at Meta in Seattle. I’m toying with the idea of moving back to Bangalore where my parents live (they have multiple houses in a nice colony there, so I can grab one for free). I have hesitations around the comp and work culture for PMs there, so would love to hear thoughts. I’m also curious about the social pressure around people asking “why did you return from the US when you’re a citizen”? Another alternative I’m considering is to get a senior PM job in the US at a company like Uber where they have a significant Bangalore presence, and then take a transfer there to keep my US stock grant but with an Indian salary. Seeking advice in these difficult times! TC: 0, used to be 370k #layoff
Having a house in bangalore will save u shit loads. U sound like u would inherit good wealth from parents. I would advise as long as u can get like 20-30lakh per annum job in bangalore u can live super lavish... U can even think of settling in mysore or coorg too
Thanks! It’s indeed a big deal and significant privilege to have a house. Why Mysore or Coorg? While I speak some Kannada my family is originally from north India (as is my name) so many find it hard there
This 🔥
check out Adobe. offices in Seattle and Bangalore
Ooh good point. So far I have Uber, Microsoft, Atlassian, Rippling and Adobe. Any other recs?
LinkedIn has a BGLR office, and so does Google. I assume there must be many midtier companies such as Intuit?
Work culture is going to be a major issue for you. Even with the American culture and values - a good portion of managers will have their own way of managing which is going to be very different from what we are used to here in the states
How is their way of managing different?
Hardcore and desi style.
I feel somewhat curious as non-Indian why the emphasis on pleasing your parents and other expectations? I’m sure there might be a part of them that’s going to be happy to see you back. Not often we can get always exactly what we want, but I don’t see it as a failure if you go back to Bangalore and spend time with them.
Do it
‘I’m also curious about the social pressure around people asking “why did you return from the US when you’re a citizen”?’ Why is this even a factor? Are you gonna live your entire life worrying about what people think?
Buh bye
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How is G bruh
How can you live and work in India if you’re a U.S. citizen? Does India allow dual citizenship?
If he qualifies for OCI, it's effectively India's version of PR
I got my OCI as a child actually
No social pressure on returning.. this thought process is 15 years old.. awareness is much better these days ... Regarding WLB, some of the msgs in the thread are funny, I'm not sure if they have real exposure to india offices.. TL:DR : Culture and WLB entirely depends on the company.. Google, msft, Adobe etc have excellent WLB and amzn/Uber etc have below par WLB... again more to do with company than country.. But yea, don't expect any entitlement since you're US return, nobody cares or gives any importance for it - at least in the professional circle Finally, if I were you, I'll go to major tech companies and transfer to India so I can keep my unvested grants on US TC
Thanks for these tips. What would you say are other top companies? And can you segment them by WLB like you did here?
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This poll is really lighting up! Curious about comp and work culture for PMs at American companies with a Bangalore office. Also curious about how to deal with people asking why I moved back
Just tell them that you wanted to live like king in India with all the services on your tips like cook, maid, driver, delivery. You hated Seattle weather. You wanted to live closer to family. You wanted to eat good Indian food. You are exploring life in India amd might move back if you don't like it here.
PM compesation might not be that great. There is so much less data about PM salaries. Work culture in companies like Microsoft/Atlassian would be less hardcore.