Microsoft vs FB - comparison

Feb 21, 2018 61 Comments

It's been 1.5 years at Facebook, and here's my take on FB as a former MSFTie. I was hired as E6 (was L66 at Microsoft)

Microsoft

Pros:
- Exceptional WLB
- Down to earth engineers
- Matured Managers
- Emphasis on shipping features (as many as possible)

Cons:
- Slow moving & politics
- pay below market

Facebook

Pros:
- Better than Microsoft in every possible way
- I have doubled my pay. Our refreshers are highest in the market.

Cons:
- horrible WLB. 55-60 hours is norm.
- lots of hacks in code.
- lots of less experienced managers and you need to set expectation and manage up

I am considering trying at Google because of bad WLB after June. WLB is taking a toll on me.

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TOP 61 Comments
  • Square
    OXYe80

    Go to company page Square

    OXYe80
    MSFT gets a lot of hate here but the WLB cannot be beat. The company is stable, makes billions, and odds are you’ll be able to find a team doing what you are passionate about.

    They don’t pay top rates, but at some point you do have to ask yourself what matters more; making the extra $100k or having a balanced life.
    Feb 21, 2018 6
    • Also depends on negotiation skills, I’m confident I get paid as much as Google/ FB counterparts since my package was on par with them when I joined. Refreshers sucks though so won’t be here after my joining amount is vested
      Feb 21, 2018
    • Msft getting hate is more or less justified. The company survives on politics. Making show of your work, talking in meetings rather than delivering value. Work has mostly little impact. Close to zero freedom to explore. Doing the bare minimum to ship crap. Laying off people even when they are making money. A change would be good but not simple to pull off.
      Feb 22, 2018
  • That's interesting. Thanks for sharing. Im going to join FB soon and this perspective helps. Is wlb bad across the board or is it only few orgs ? Are you based in Seattle?
    Feb 21, 2018 7
  • Facebook
    wrxXv73V8k

    Go to company page Facebook

    wrxXv73V8k
    There are definitely Facebook engineers working closer to 45 hours (excluding oncall weeks on teams with heavier oncalls) than 55-60 who are doing fine at E5+ but, at the same time, it is definitely nowhere near Microsoft where I could work 35 and get the highest ratings.
    Feb 21, 2018 3
  • Honest question: what are you working on 50-60 hours? More nagging notifications telling us we haven't checked into the restroom close by?
    Feb 21, 2018 1
  • What is your current compensation?
    Feb 21, 2018 7