L3 Google vs. L5 Amazon

Apple / Eng
123little

Go to company page Apple Eng

123little
Mar 12 39 Comments

Hi

SDE - Bay Area - L5 amazon TC 451k
SDE - Bay Area - L3 Google TC 245k (interviewed for L4 but got approved (lowballed) for L3 after HC)

Planning to go with Amazon, I like the team and the projects they do, and obviously, the TC difference is a no-brainer.

Also, have an onsite coming up with Meta & Twitter next week.

Any thoughts?

-------------
Current TC 292
YOE 5

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 39 Comments
  • L3 for 5 yoe is an absolute insult. Go with Amazon
    Mar 12 1
  • 451k for mid level engineer? Wtf is going on at Amazon
    Mar 12 10
    • Apple / Eng
      123little

      Go to company page Apple Eng

      123little
      OP
      guys I appreciate you all sharing your pov on survivability chances at Amazon. True, I may perform poor and get kicked out or I may do a good job and stay - but all I was asking here was given the two offers which one makes sense to pick :) but appreciate your POVs here.
      Mar 12
    • Amazon
      drone321

      Go to company page Amazon

      drone321
      Da fuq do you mean? You canโ€™t do math? The $200 more one!
      Mar 12
  • Google
    yes๐Ÿงข

    Go to company page Google

    yes๐Ÿงข
    DO NOT take L3 with 5 YOE (even if you had the same TC and not 50% of the L5 offer). You will have to compete against fresh, motivated college grads for at least a year to get to L4, then compete with people 1-2 years out of college to get to L5.

    Hell, I took L4 offer with just under 5 years of experience and it feels like a downlevel compared to some of these fresh L4s. And I still have to wait at least 1.5 years to promo since I need to show SuStaIneD PerFormAnce
    Mar 12 3
    • Google
      yes๐Ÿงข

      Go to company page Google

      yes๐Ÿงข
      I don't know for sure unfortunately, but I don't think it would hurt. It might even help since you've demonstrated you're able to pass the bar in some capacity. I rejected a few offers, including one from Amazon, and they still reach out to me all the time.

      Personally, I think your best approach, if you want to work at Google in the long run, is to get to L6 at Amazon and then interview for L5 at Google. You could also interview for L4 (or even L5) at Google next year if you hate Amazon.
      Mar 12
    • GrubHub
      HUiu13

      Go to company page GrubHub

      HUiu13
      Based on what I know so far is if you are at L6 Amazon and interview at Google for L5 in most cases you will be down leveled to l4. The more experience you get the more money you will expect and google down leveling will never help you. At this point it would matter more if you prefer the company culture and work of google over money and leveling. Again this is just a random opinion and also visa issues with getting laid off so that would be my driving factor. Everyone has their own motivations to select and you would know the best for accepting or rejecting.
      Mar 24
  • Sabre
    SLACKersa

    Go to company page Sabre

    SLACKersa
    Get that sweet liquid cash for a year or two and then before they even get a chance to pip u, LC and GTFO
    Mar 12 1
  • Google
    ghtC65

    Go to company page Google

    ghtC65
    L3 downlevel is a reject. Move on
    Mar 12 2
    • Apple / Eng
      123little

      Go to company page Apple Eng

      123little
      OP
      right - I agree - thanks for sharing ur POV - anyway I may in the future interview with G again - do you think already having an L3 offer and not accepting it would adversely affect my future chances with the company?
      Mar 12
    • Amazon
      53xy

      Go to company page Amazon

      53xy
      yes this is practically saying if you are desperate.. like have visa issues and no other options, google will offer you a chance. but otherwise treat it as a reject
      Mar 12