Context: I work at Microsoft on a 50-60hr/week important Azure team as an L60. After around a year, even after single-handedly delivering projects that are decently above the scale of my role, there simply seems to be no promo in sight. The bar for swe2 is higher than senior on other teams. I've worked with some other seniors, some of our swe2 are definitely better. I can't describe my projects, but I'm at a point where my fellow swe2/senior engs/manager want/require my feedback in all major design changes. Furthermore, I have team and cloud on-call which are deadly weeks. I want L61, I want a calmer life (40-45 hrs/week), I want to be paid higher for the kind of work I can do / am doing (I'm not slow, team culture is 50-60hrs). I don't know why the bar is so high or where tf our funding is, but it's taking a toll on my health. I'm not even opposed to working more, but atleast pay me like it. I also just want to touch some front-end or be involved in something with a front end, maybe for satisfaction like "hey I supported that" or "I made that". Question: If I apply internally to positions that are higher level at L61 (swe 2, first level), will the hiring managers actually consider it? I've heard/seen team transfers, but it was always someone of the same level going to a new team. Main concern is that the new hiring manager might be like, "Wow, this person is pretty good, but only L60 at other team still?". In other words, I seem more like a risk than an asset. In the end, it is a new offer letter and up to hiring manager to decide, but idk how this works otherwise. Any tips on how to go about team transfer, higher level potential, etc. are very appreciated. If anyone has done an internal team transfer also, I'd love to pm to ask some questions :) If anyone is looking for swe2/L4/SDE2 hit me up lol. *I have talked about it with my manager before more than once, I love my teammates, just not my salary. Heck, I'm even proud of the work I did. But I simply can't justify my hours vs work vs pay anymore, so I want to leave. #microsoft #swe #software #engineering
That level is target level not guaranteed level. Most likely, they will screw you with lateral move bs. Hrweb covers this. Lateral move = no level increase, no base increase, no sign on bonus, no stock increase
oh wow didnt know it was target level, thanks for the info
Yeah, since your move would be same job type etc, you won't get any increase. I went from ic to m1 and it was also considered lateral.
The way its done is that you get hired at the old level and your manager can put you up for promo in 6 months or so.
i think its time for me to just slack to 40hrs/week until i get a new job then :(, gonna feel bad leaving my team tho
If you’re good as you say, your best bet is to leave Microsoft, and then boomerang back in 2-3 years as Senior.
seems to be only option, also im not super insane but the team speed was ride or die at the time, so i panicked and grinded. i also felt pressured because two other new hires seemed way better than me, but months later i found out they already had some YoE elsewhere. ig circumstance made me improve faster as opposed to being very above avg.
Stop working as much. One thing at a time. Then plan your switch
yea im gonna slowly dial it back and big over estimate my work times now. no point falling into work trap w no reward :/
It's just a question of negotiations. Most of cases it's lateral move. 1 level increase is absolutely no problem if the new hiring manager want you and you negotiate. I saw 2 level increase too but rarely, easier if you switch to a different role. You can also apply to a position multiple levels over your current level, as long there are no hard limit requirements. I saw 58 apply for 62 or 63, was hired at 59.
No. Microsoft does not encourage level jump for internal transfer. Promotes a bad culture of jumping around for levels
makes sense ig