How to tell Microsoft level from offer letter?
I got an offer for Senior SDE at Microsoft Redmond. However, the offer letter does not state the level offered. I have not yet asked the level details from the assigned recruiter. Is there a way to tell the level from comp details? The TC offered to me is $270k for the first year with $165k base
Looks like a L63 offer. 63 and 64 are senior bands. Ask the recruiter, they’re obligated to tell you.
That base is higher end for L63, or nearly median for L64.
Agreed
Really I think there are signs you can use to tell. Sometimes they can be subtle. Like check the quality of the stationary. Or if they used quality ink pen or a cheap ass ball point. Or what about the writing itself, cursive or looks like written by a 5 year old. Check out those symptoms and report back.
Lol.
Aye aye captain!!
Is the target RSU refresh and yearly cash bonus different for L63 and 64? If so, that can be an indicator.
Wow that’s a lot of RSUs. If you are calculating correctly, then it’s 360k over 4 years. That’s massive! The rule about level is if they don’t disclose that means it’s 63, else recruiter will keep on reiterating the higher level they are offering.
Not sure if first year TC included joining bonus too. I recently got a L64 offer with 400K initial RSUs, ie 100K per year. Another colleague of mine has got a similar offer too. I will say, of late Microsoft offers are pretty good and better than what I have seen from Apple.
Thing about Microsoft is stock refreshers are bad. I would guess that is still true today.
It's l63 with that base
It really depends on which company you’re leaving for Msft. Sounds like L63 though since base is usually the thing consistent across the board across hires in a specific level.
I believe if you ask the recruiter, he/she will tell you right away. It is not a secret. Like what others said, most likely it is L63, but L64 is possible also.
270 for first year... what is it for second year?
difference between a stock refresher and On Hire Stock Award. I only saw a number for the latter
You can’t.
So, do I ask the recruiter? Can they disclose this information? How the hell are others on Blind able to pin down their levels before joining Microsoft?
You can try asking. Sometimes recruiters reveal sometimes they don’t. My guess - they don’t tell if they are downleveling you.