I joined AMZ 2 years ago as an L5 TPM, I applied for L6 but was down leveled. At the time (and still now) I was confident I could get to the originally applied L6 within 2 years but that attempt was squashed by the layoffs at the start of the year. The reality is my org was hammered, glad and grateful I survived the cut, but the environment is a fraction of what it used to be and while I am confidence in my skills, I suspect my L5 pay vs. L6 played a big role in me sticking around. I moved my family from a LCOL to HCOL for this opportunity, I am at the top of the L5 pay range, but in a HCOL city we’re not living much better and if a 1.5M house purchase looms, I may actually be taking in less. I was hoping to get advice from people who have been in this situation. I suspect I could still get L6 in the next year or two, but it will be an uphill battle. I timed everything around my last promo cycle, now with my wife working I don’t know how realistic it would be to achieve what I was going into 2023. I am not a young guy, 44, two kids, decent savings, in my previous role I took a non-tech company public as the CIO and have some decent non-fang tech consulting names on my resume. With my wife now working we’re in a sustainable situation, but barley. The time hear before my wife started working was ok-ish, the extra money of her now-working is great but she seems to be enjoying the time even less as a result. For me, I’ve gotten to the point that if my org folded tomorrow I would be somewhat relived despite the challenging employment market out there. A month or so back I sent feelers out to a few recruiters from Google, Microsoft, Meta and was ignored or told they were recently let go. I have tried internal transfers but there is so little for a L5 TPM and they make it very clear you won’t move up with a transfer. Any tips for happy yet not, rich yet poor old man paying a heavy price being away from friends and family only to make a fraction more? TC $215
Have you discussed promo timelines with your Manager? That will give you an idea what they are thinking. Yes, you cannot move internally to a higher level and any move will reset your contributions and affect promo. If your goal is to be senior tpm sooner than internal timelines, try for senior roles outside. Amazon and prior experience should get you some calls.
My HCOL city was one hit very hard by the layoffs in the spring, there must be tens of thousands of unemployed ex-FANG looking for work. As an L5 I don’t even know where to start or how to realistically compare to the sea of folks putting in a full day’s effort, every day. Don’t get me wrong, I get a dozen emails for low paying positions, while that could better WLB, it wont better my situation. I’m a hard worker, but not a super star, based on my experience and Blind posts, it would seem only the super stars are free to move around. Any tips on finding decent outside roles?
Key to landing a good outside role is to start preparing/interviewing with enough time on hands. This market might make it hard but it is not true only superstars crack it.
44 is young… Dont compare your TC to the ppll you see on blind I didn’t read the rest of your post its too long
My time here has humbled my abilities, there are some incredible performers here. I am not disappointed in my rate of compensations relative to some of those individuals. That challenge is what my salary provides in this HCOL city, everything is more expensive, I mean everything. I find myself saving up for that 16tb hard drive purchase just like I had to 10 years ago. (size relative to time lol)