New Grad Offer Evaluation: IMC Trading vs. Amazon vs. Microsoft

Hi everyone, thank you for the advice on preparing for the interviews for these companies in the past, it has been very helpful (evidently). I am now between these three companies. I interviewed for Google too but that was for Cloud Technical Residency which is <$100k so I don't think I even need to consider that. IMC (Chicago): $150k base, $65k bonus = $215k Only can go higher with M.S. this year, levels seems to confirm. I don't know if I want to really go into HFT/Proprietary Trading. One thing I've heard is that SWEs can be seen as "second-class" at these companies compared to the quants and direct financial people, seeing as they are finance companies. Moreover, compensation seems to heavily depend on how the company does that year per the recruiter, and the career outlook in terms of progression doesn't seem to be as high in 5-7 YoE as FAANG with lower TC for the average SWE. I have also heard…less than stellar things about IMC Chicago (https://www.reddit.com/r/IMCWhistleblower/comments/ow1x4p/what_is_going_on_at_imc_trading/) Microsoft (Redmond): $113k base, $30k/4 yr RSU, $23k bonus = $166k Company feels exactly like IBM. The interviewers I talked to except the bar raiser seemed to have no passion or interest for CS. I understand that WLB is exceptional, but I don't know that this is a great place for a career starter. Amazon (Seattle): $129k base, $4,750, $14,250, then $19,000/yr until $95K RSU is exhausted, $27,775 bonus first year, $29,900 bonus second year, $7k relocation = $168k first year, $173k second year Per popular assessment, horrible WLB, however my interviewing experience was very positive. Not a typical easy Amazon interview because they asked 2x DP questions but I guess it still went well. All the engineers I talked to (+ 1 program manager) did very interesting things and were passionate about what they did, they all seemed to value the ownership and responsibility they were given. Also, they say the offer is non negotiable, will emailing the recruiter telling them about my other (higher) offers hurt? I have pending offers from BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, etc. but I doubt they will be as high as FAANG. Initially I was thinking about just chasing TC with IMC but knowing that the bonus is performance dependent the next year and the WLB is typical of finance, I am wary of it. Also, not enthused with Chicago. Microsoft seems a bit stuck in the past but with a very laid-back, chill vibe. Amazon seems like it gives a good deal of ownership and responsibility but with PIP, bad WLB, etc… As of now, I'm leaning towards Amazon as I like Seattle, it seems like a great city for a 21 year old, and I don't really think I'll stay in my first position long term given that I'm just starting my career and want to try different things out. The difference between $168k with Amazon and $215k with IMC is ~20%, but both are more than what *both* of my parents have made in the past five years, so it's life-changing regardless. It's not necessarily big enough of a jump to make me instantly go for IMC. #swe #amazon #imc #microsoft