Meta vs Google (my comparison)
Here are some points I put together with things I noticed in both; this may help people make a decision. They may also be somewhat specific to London. Pros for Meta: - Much much faster growth, especially if you are willing to grind - Better compensation, especially if you are a top performer - Monetary benefits (transportation/wellness) are slightly better - Much easier to get stuff done, donât have to jump through X hoops like at Google (I had to request permission for memegen at google) - Company moves much faster - Felt less hierarchical and more social than Google - Better MK snacks and some days the canteen food is seriously impressive Pros for Google: - Much better code quality - Easier to coast and less likely to get a crap rating cos of it - Generally a more relaxed culture, less likely to feel the pressure of being on the chopping block - WLB is generally better as you are less likely to feel the pressure to grind and arenât tempted to check Workplace every few minutes - Much better documentation - Low rating quota is significantly lower than meta so less pressure - Slightly better office location (KX) and has a gym - Larger variety of options for food TC: ÂŁ1.6 million #engineering #software #swe
No gym in the Meta London office?
No, for some unknown reason. Although they do reimburse gym memberships.
Brock office has a small one on the top floor
This is great content thank you. I am thanking about making this jump right now with an offer in hand - mind if I reach out with some questions ?
Sure
When were you at G? Things changed a lot lately ⊠Do you get home internet reimbursed and equipment to wfh? How different are the meta KX and Brock st offices? Pros and cons?
I was there kind of recently I guess, not when morale dropped a lot in the past year though. What are the changes youâve noticed compared to my points? Not sure about reimbursement for that stuff, I never asked. They did do it during COVID but not sure anymore. You can definitely reimburse certain equipment like keyboards and mice. Brock is a better location and more similar to Google 6PS. In KX thereâs two buildings, the RL one and T2/T3. Donât know about RL but T2/T3 is pretty huge with a rooftop garden etc. The walk from the station is annoying though. There was an office in Rathbone Square which had the best location out of all of them by far, but they closed it last monthâŠ.
In what way is brock better? Honestly the good at Google KX can sometimes pretty good.. so many options and varieties and I kind of dig what the chefs make
Op, what do you think about reorgs, roadmap churn at the two places?
I guess Meta is probably worse in this regard, but it depends on org. A lot of it is due to people not being able to keep up with the pace and consequently leaving voluntarily or involuntarily.
Do you think the ongoing hiring spree is well thought out? Google, for example has been quite cautious in hiring since the layoff. Sure, the stock at ATH and so it's cheaper to hire, but how did Meta get from layoffs + year of efficiency, to hiring spree just in a matter of a few months?
Google has no pros to Meta
Better documentation at Google - what documentation? We have none. Itâs all in the code base
Your TC is impressive.. i used to think, swe wont make that much in the Uk. OP, is it due to the stock appreciation? Howâs salary in general in the UK? TC: 300k
Almost certainly stock growth plus probably some additional equity. E7 in the UK standard is 400-500k
400k is more E6 standard with reasonable ratings and tenure
So none of the 3 Meta offices in London have gym?
Yep
E7?
Yes, but there are E6 with AE making similar
How common is AE?