I recently passed an interview at Amazon for L5 position, the recruiter asked me what is my expected compensation, what do you think is a good compensation? I have 11 YOE
L5 max about 250k in Amzn. 11 yoe you are likely 63/64 in Msft. No significant jump here.
I got 160K base as an L5. The starting bonus was something like $35K per year for 2 years plus the RSUs.
Some recent posts suggest that L5 can get 300k+. Do a search.
Ask for $300k+. I was offered $290k for CA and I started low on my negotiations.
California is higher, base and TC. Don’t judge by that. 160k is the max base in standard markets including Seattle. The L5 range is 174k-222k or so. If you’re stupendous or downleveled from L6 you might get above band (which will require high level approvals), but 250k seems pretty generous. It’s where L6 promos are pegged comp-wise. Note your comp will drop in a case like that unless you’re promoted. They will say you can fast track promo and are liars.
Agree that fast track promos aren't a thing unless you have cronyism involved ;)
I got 160 Sal 185k signing and 195 rsu (320kish) which is 290k per year over first four if stock holds. DO NOT give them a desired Salary. Say "you know more than I do from my interview performance the value I can bring to Amazon and what you're willing to pay for that value. I don't have a number in mind otherwise, but I'm interested to see how much amazkn values my talent. Why don't you tell me the offer and I can consider if it's a good fit for me and my family." Or you can hire me as your negotiation coach. Have already helped a half dozen people through negotiation. I bet I can get you 10k more than you would minimum.
11 yoe and L5? ..
I've seen plenty of people with bloated resumes and decade plus experience make it to on-site and not pass the L4 bar.
That's a tough call because the team may ask things that aren't related to the job or the candidate's history. Ex: I was asked to traverse a nav mesh (A*), implement flood fill, and do contrived string manipulations. None of that is even remotely related to what I do at Amazon.