I've been reading great thing about google Zurich in terms of WLB and TC. But I also read that it is harder to team match, or that it has even an higher bar. I just got a referral and I'm looking for a place where I can have a great WLB until I retire. I live in Munich and there is a small site here, but Zurich seems to be really great. Should I apply to Munich and then transfer internally or even ask for team match in Zurich afterwards or apply directly to Zürich? Of course I'm aware that I first have to pass the interview.
Zurich is nice, I worked at the office there for about 2.5 years. Would recommend applying directly, way better than Munich.
What about the higher hiring bar? Is that really the case?
Bar should theoretically be the same for all locations
Can those voting for Munich and later transfer provide reasons?
You didn't mention your target level / experience, but the total comp is more salary+bonus heavy in Zurich than it is in MTV. If you are looking at L3 I wouldn't put so much weight on an initial stock grant (maybe 20% of base salary number as L3 in ZRH but I don't know recent initial stock numbers for ZRH). I think whether you have an offer from another tech company or significant unvested stock in your current company would affect much more your initial stock grant and sign on bonus at the offer planning stage (after you pass HC). Sure total comp in Munich is lower and taxes are probably higher in Munich plus you pay capital gain taxes which you don't pay in switzerland, so moving to ZRH *eventually* is a good idea from WLB and TC point of view, but if you can't get a job in ZRH right away or in N months, going to a team in Munich for 1 to 2 years can be also fun (minimum 1year, in 2 years you could look at L3 to L4 promo and transfer right after that). You can continuously look for a team while working in Munich, meanwhile you grow on the corp ladder and the matching team has a much better idea of your profile than they have with the just a few interview feedbacks. Technically the interviews are all the same bar across EMEA (likely higher than US) but the teams might be more picky in ZRH or have many more options to pick from because the hiring in ZRH slowed down a lot. There's also a limited set of teams in ZRH that focus on specific work, so there might not be a team for whatever it is that you are looking for. I heard of "all star" teams with "no headcount" which are still looking for people just because if they find a new star they will make the headcount appear. The numbers are so small that whether you go to ZRH or Munich will depend more on a good team match than anything else. If you find one in ZRH great, if you don't ask the recruiter to look for Munich too and transfer later. I don't see the point on being in the matching stage for months..
Isnt there restrictions on the number of visas the swiss give out each year? Might be easier to go to munich first and transfer after. Bar will be the same no matter what Or on call to recruiter you could mention munich or zurich are options for you
No restriction for EU citizens
Join Zurich directly. They won't compensate for the low intial grant in Munich if you make an internal move. On the flip side, if you join Zurich and don't like it, you can move to Munich and keep your initial grant.
I'm also leaning towards that. My only concern remains higher bar and harder team matching (latest being a fact). Thanks for the advice.
Google does global hiring and the Zurich hiring process is unified with all of EMEA. So if you don’t get team matched in Zurich you can tell your recruiter you would also be interested in teams in Munich and use that as a fallback. In terms of HC, the bar should technically be the same everywhere, though whether that is true in practice I cannot attest to. Anyway, my advice would be to try for Zurich first and if you don’t get matched to a team ask to switch to Munich. The stock hit of starting off in Munich is too much for that to be your plan A.
Zurich is the much better option and the bar should be the same anywhere across EMEA. The headcount issue however is true, especially now there is almost no headcount and not only in Zurich but almost in all EMEA locations (Zurich is probably the worst). I am in team matching phase for the past 3 months now and I know a guy that managed to find a place in Zurich only after he waited 8 months. If you are willing to wait that long, apply to Zurich directly and (after you clear the interviews) if there is zero headcount your recruiter will propose other locations to you.
This. You are not the first story I read about where team matching last so long in Zurich. Did you clear HC?
Not yet, as per my recruiter I will go through HC after I find a team, I think this is standard procedure.
Did you end up in Zurich?
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Always apply directly to desired destination. Else, likely 1 year of regret.
In my case one year of regret is fine. I already live in Munich and I own an apartment. What worries me the most is the initial stocks given.
How much is the apartment worth?