LinkedIn SWE: Base: 150, RSU: 280k, Bonus: 10%, Sign on: 60k Google L3: Base: 145, GSU: 300k, Bonus: 15%, Sign on: 55k Both are good teams. YOE: 3.5 From blind it looks like LinkedIn has better perks - $2000 perk up, better food, ESPP, unlimited PTO and better health insurance than Google. But Google has better brand name and maybe challenging work. How are refreshers for SWE and L3 at LinkedIn and Google respectively? What about promotion to senior and L4?
both are nice offers. just FYI the best perk in linkedin is the two-week shutdown
Yeah PTO as well. Which one do you recommend? And any information on refreshers and promotion?
DTO at LinkedIn somewhat reduces my vacations because I don’t think about taking them. I’d rather prefer a PTO policy of a set number of days per year. But then, LinkedIn has 2 weeks of shutdown every year so it more than makes it up.
No refreshers for me at LI for 2 years. I am going to G in December.
Were your ratings meets or exceeds expectations?
Meets
Wow! Your L3 G offer better than a lot of L4s.
Thanks! I don’t know why they didn’t level me at L4, given that some people get L4 with > 3 YOE. My interview rating was pretty good according to my recruiter but since comp is in that band I am not much worried. As someone else mentioned refreshers at L3 and L4 are almost similar.
What’s the $2k perk you refer to? Curious how the unlimited PTO works in practice? Also, when are the 2 weeks shutdown? Is it something similar to Apple’s shutdown that happens in Thanksgiving and Christmas?
$2k towards fitness, classes any other activity extra yearly. One week off during July 4th. One week during Christmas.
It can be used for other things too. Like tax preparation or house cleaning for example
Curious, why would you say that LinkedIn is a worse brand than google? I would argue that they’re probably similar, and the team that you’re working on is more important, but that’s just me.
Well Google still carries more weight on resume I think. LinkedIn is not far behind but if work is similar then Google wins in my opinion for brand name.
That makes sense. Best of luck in making a decision
Can you share interviews experience?
Google was all algorithmic! Standard 4 rounds, mostly LC medium-hard with some variations. I think I solved question optimally in every round without much hints expect one where I needed good hints. LinkedIn was 4 algorithmic, 1 sys design. All LC tagged LinkedIn questions both medium and hard ones.
PSA - Linkedin’s refresher is probably the worst. If you can accept that then the rest are heavenly awesome. Good food good perks good culture
That’s good to know. Apart from PTO, good refreshers can easily take care of all the perks I feel. :)
What is their refresher system?
Leetcode, system design primer and grokking the system design. Sadly nothing else helps.
Join Google. Get that brand name on your resume. Get a promotion to T4 in 2 years and then leave.
Why leave? I was thinking promotion to L4 in about a year because of my current experience, is that not possible? Also how are refreshers at L3 and L4?
Promo to L4 in 1 year is virtually impossible. Your experience doesn't really matter much (your manager won't even ask you about your experience and people will be irritated when/you bring it up). So if you do really well, it is possible in 1.5 years. Keep in mind that your team may not even have interesting work and hence it might be difficult for you to find impactful work. Secondly, you need two consecutive Strongly exceeds to get a promo..and keep in mind that it is very very hard to get SEE in first review. After your promo to T4, if you continue in the same team, promo to T5 may happen in 2 more years. It's a nightmare. You are better off at FB. You will work your ass off but will grow quicker.
Congrats! What's your current company and where are the offers' locations?
Can’t disclose current company sorry. Both in Bay Area.