#Microsoft Offer
I got a call from a microsoft recruiter that said my interview was a yes from all interviewers. This is for a Cloud Solution Architecture role based in MEA. I have 10+ years experience in software development and cloud which translates to this role. Recruiter acknowledged strong dev background, great listening skills, and demostrated experience in relating with C levels. All checked. Only mentioned need for more Azure knowledge which he said Msft is ready to work with me on. Recruiter asked for my current salary which I supplied. So I am waiting for an offer. What level should I expect for a 10+ experience? What salary range?
You should not have provided your current salary unless you wanted something similar. I don’t have a sense for salary in that part of the world so not much help. That said, since you gave salary I would expect something similar unless you are way underpaid. Levels.fyi is useless unless you are a software engineer or PM so just ignore that.
Thanks @Ttttyyyll, its common practice here for employers to ask for last salary so I didn't think too much of it but now I see what you mean. Does this mean the roles dont have a set range/level set ahead? What options are avaliable for me now?
They do have ranges and they’ll try to put you somewhere close to the middle of the range. If your current pay is close (to the middle) though then they’ll most likely offer something similar. I don’t know if this applies outside the US but you could negotiate two things beyond base salary: cash signing bonus and on hire stock award. Pay is driven, generally speaking, by the level (which translates in Microsoft speak to the amount of “impact” they expect from the position/person) designated for that opening. In the US, most industry hire CSAs come in as a 63, 64, or 65. International levels are a bit different but, to your question, there are levels and the pay range is associated to them.
External hire as Senior software engineer are generally around 10 years experienced. Principle are generally 15+. For a senior salary including on hire stocks and yearly bonus should be around $220k in Redmond. You can add/sub different living costs accordingly.
Thanks. Does this mean the salary for CSA and SDE are similar for the same yoe?
Lol no way dude, SDE >>>> CSA
CSA is Services. Not worth it imo. Toxic morale
I’m going to assume that in general, salary bands in tech will be similar. I was surprised that even the ux designer was making the same salary as me at a previous startup. Go on salary.com
Thanks again Cheeter, however they seem to be no information for that role in Nigeria as well.
Depends if you are comfortable in Nigeria. Seems to me that if you’re an expat, you ask for US wages. If you’re moving there as a native, then the company would probably give you a much lower salary. It all depends on your immigration status.
I basically have your experience exactly. I’m a CSA in Cali. 160 base + 48k bonus per yr. 100k in stock vesting over 4 years, that is not included in the bonus. Had a 25k signon. CSA = cloud Solution Architect. You are customer facing solving, this role is not professional services.
Thanks Techbro. Certainly helps. Since my current pay in Nigeria here is much less than this, I guess I might get much less. Which level is this? 64/63?
Sorry just saw, level 64
Not much help since I’m US, but hopefully you can use it to add to your research
Outside of the USA and other major markets, CSA are typically level 62-64. So stock and bonus percentage target of salary will align to what you see on level. But the actual salary range for your market can vary greatly
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Go to http://levels.fyi
Thanks @Cheeter, however it does not provide information about experience required to be in any of the levels.
Also, there is no CSA role there