Joined Google recently. Was down leveled to L3 with ~4yoe. TC 185 My manager just gets a high-level overview of my tasks during our 1:1s and would not know the specifics. My mentor/TL understand my work much better. Would they be involved in my promo process in any way? Do the managers seek their feedback? How would he gauge my perf? Do managers generally look at number of CLs submitted? Do they look at the complexities of every CL?
Ask this in the google channel instead of here
Honestly getting a L4 offer somewhere else may be the fastest way out.
Do you recommend facing the HM with the competing offer or just leaving?
Just leaving. I don’t know whether L3s even get counter offers.
Location?
Bay area
Oh wow look— another down level from G.
How this can happen, do they just approach you saying "hey buddy you were not good enough in the last sprint, we will downlevel you"?
185 ? wow... It's as if Google is saying "we can pay you whatever because we know you'll still take it" 😆
Former Googler here. It depends a lot on the org you are in and your manager chain. That said, the deal breaker for L3-L4 is technical complexity and code. Make sure you write a lot of CLs of high quality and you don’t have too many iterations on them or obvious flaws pointed out by coworkers. Beyond coding you also need to show design skills so make sure you write good design docs for your project and get them peer reviewed. For bonus points, try to put your leader cap on and provide direction for the team in your areas of expertise. Speak up in meetings, proactively contribute to design discussions and make yourself helpful outside your project scope. That said, this advice could probably apply to L4 promo anywhere not only G. As for who looks at it, both your manager/TL and peers will have input on this. Good luck!
You need to have this discussion with your manager. Mention that you were downleveled, and you feel you are already capable of working at T4. Mention your desire to promo, and ask from their perspective what is still missing to get promo.
Wow Google lowballs like no other
Can confirm. Currently a director. Have a senior management offer at Wayfair, and Google made me an L4 offer. Sad thing is, I'm probably gonna take it.
why?