Hey all, I just passed the phone interview for Google (general SWE, L3/4) and was told to expect a call from a recruiter to discuss my background and career aspirations and team matches, who will then align me for my onsite. I understand that team matches are based on my location preferences - I chose a few locations on the questionnaire (Bay Area, LA, Irvine, Seattle/Kirkland), with Bay Area as the primary preference, but want to confirm that I made the right choice. I did search around a bit and did find some similar posts, but they were all either 2+ years old or with different choices (e.g. all locations, or between MTV/NYC, etc). I am open to relocation to any of these locations (prefer big cities), although not immediately (maybe after 4+ months, not sure if they will be okay with it). Here are my thoughts and opinions, please correct me if I am wrong/missing anything: Bay Area (MTV/SV/San Bruno): Pros: HQ perks/vibes, lots of teams for team matching, weather Cons: Housing, boring social scene, too car centric/suburban (MTV) LA / Irvine (these two were somehow separated on the questionnaire): Pros: Better social life, weather, more diverse demographics (i.e. people in many different industries) Cons: Not as many teams to choose from? Seattle / Kirkland: Pros: Low taxes, reasonable COL (although some may argue on this), outdoorsy Cons: Boring social scene, weather? teams? I used to love NYC/Chicago but these days I’m more leaning towards the west coast after spending most of my life in the east. Also heard it’s not as easy to get a team match in NYC/Chicago as L3/L4 - not as many openings for lower levels. I’m an iOS engineer but this was a general SWE opening and I’m being considered as a generalist, with Web Applications & Multi-tiered system as the area of expertise. I was actually interested in the YouTube teams (San Bruno?), possibly for iOS, but I guess they may not have that much headcount. Not sure if there are any interesting teams/projects in Seattle/Kirkland/LA/Irvine - any input would be appreciated (I did search around a bit but didn't find much solid info). I’m single, 30 and do love to go out on weekends to grab drinks and get a life, but at the same time want some career growth - I made a career switch back to SWE recently and looking to focus on the progression for the next 3-5 years at least. I know this may be something i need to worry about after the onsite but just wanted to make sure before I chat with the recruiter next week! as I may be asked on the location preferences again. TL DR: Which location would you pick out of these four? Focusing on career progression for next 3-5 years (possibility of good team matches) but also want to have some social life (doesn't have to be too crazy but would like to still be able to hang out / get drinks on weekends). Don't need to save up too much $$$s for now. Thanks! YOE: 2.5 (5 as non-SWE) TC: 🥜🥜 #google
Bay area is depressing. Sf has too many homeless people
1. Move to the bay area 2. Diss the bay area: “so depressing” 3. Don’t leave the bay area
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MTV will be the best for career, but I would choose LA (*not* Irvine) for social life. That said, your money will go furthest in Seattle/Kirkland due to tax differences.
Thanks! The thing is tho, all of MTV+SF+San Bruno is grouped under a single choice on the list (under Bay Area), so I'm kinda worried if I pick Bay Area, i might get matched with SF/San Bruno teams that may not have much mobility or work on uninteresting/isolated projects (although i'm guessing i could mention this on the chat as well) Yeah I guess Irvine is more of a typical suburb... do you have an idea what kind of teams/projects there are in LA/Irvine/Seattle/Kirkland?
Irvine is a lovely office with wonderful people and great food (pre-pandemic at least), but not a lot of projects. Also Irvine is a super boring area. LA has YouTube, Chrome, Drive, Ads, and probably some others I'm forgetting. Kirkland and Seattle are both bigger than LA. They both have Cloud for sure (more in Kirkland than Seattle). Seattle also has Maps. Beyond that, I'm not too sure. Bay area of course has everything.
I hear some people saying that team matching can be very competitive at these areas (lots of interested candidates) - but if i understand correctly, as soon as you pass the HC stage, your offer is valid for a year, right? Do hiring managers at the TM stages actually get to reject candidates as well after the TM chats (after passing onsite/HC), even if you show interest?
Yes, and it’s not uncommon.
Who in their right mind chooses Bay Area over NYC...
Anybody who doesn't like rats, cockroaches, random piles of trash on the streets, crazy rude people. You know? Them!
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