Tech IndustryMay 1, 2019
Microsoftcapagup

Moving to Google with pay cut (w/o sign-on) or staying at MS

Currently at MS (Redmond), Level: 64, TC: 260K - 275K. YOE: 5-8. Google offer (Seattle/Kirkland), Level: 4, TC: 245K - 260K (15K less than current TC) and 30K - 40K sign-on bonus on top (first year 20K more with sign-on). My current team and matched team are similar (both focused on cloud and the same area). I'm not expecting a promo at MS for this year. Would you stay or leave? Appreciate if you can provide your perspective as well.

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Snapchat snapgame May 1, 2019

did you try other places? most will pay >>300 for L64. So if you haven’t I’d stay, prep more and get better offers

Microsoft capagup OP May 1, 2019

>>300K for Seattle? I haven't actually, which companies would you suggest (besides FB)?

Microsoft bdisgaj May 1, 2019

I switch from L64 to L6(Amazon) for 350K in Seattle. Google did this to one of my team mates as well.

Amazon Db8db4 May 1, 2019

Did you factor in benefits? Especially the ones that matter to you?

Microsoft capagup OP May 1, 2019

I mostly considered TC. G has better refreshers apperently. WLB seems about the same. G has free food and other perks that I'm not interested in. 20 day vacation after 3 years is nice. Health/401K seem similar.

Google emxl11 May 1, 2019

Google has access to the mega backdoor IRA. Not sure about MS though.

Microsoft y0lo May 1, 2019

L4 is a huge downgrade I’d reject

Microsoft capagup OP May 1, 2019

As far as I searched web/blind, this is very common for Google. Seems getting in as L5 is harder than promoting internally.

Facebook dtgj May 1, 2019

L4 is 1 downgrade, nothing huge. L63s almost always comes into FB as E4. L64 maps to E5 or L5.

Microsoft u7huyt54 May 1, 2019

How did you interviews go at G?

Amazon dreambigYo May 1, 2019

Did you interview for L5 at Google? Was there any System Design and Leaderships

Microsoft temp_ May 1, 2019

Getting in as L5 is hard for sure. But there are other places where you can go for so much more in TC.

Microsoft capagup OP May 1, 2019

Thanks, any suggestions for Seattle (besides FB)?

Microsoft temp_ May 1, 2019

Airbnb, Pinterest for example

Facebook FmsU65 May 1, 2019

Don't take it. Unless you really want to work at Google. 64 at Microsoft typically maps to a 5 at Google and FB. You're essentially being downleveled and 4 is terminal level at Google. You might be a 4 forever.

Google ideaa May 1, 2019

4 is terminal, but only for those who don't want to grow. Otherwise, if you want to grow, achieving 5 is not that hard or unlikely.

Google ideaa May 1, 2019

At L4, you will get new stock refreshers worth around 70-100k each year. I think that will eventually tip google tc higher. But yes, L4 will seem as a downlevel

Facebook FmsU65 May 1, 2019

This is a great point. Google has strong refreshers and that can quickly make up the difference in total comp.

Microsoft Happier May 1, 2019

Are you unhappy at your current role that you decided to look somewhere else?

Facebook dtgj May 1, 2019

Lol. Google offers these days are lowball