PIP at Amazon
Started working about 3.5 months ago as an L4 in a financial analyst position. My manager switched two weeks in, to a new-to-amazon manager. her tone has recently changed with me and she has suddenly started overloading me with unrealistic tasks with horrible deadlines (read: complete op2 in a day and a half without assistance). I’m one of 2 L4s under my director, and have been hearing quite a bit about the PIP process, and although nothing has been explicitly stated, it feels like these recent urealistic expectations are a move to get me out. so i wanted to ask blind: 1) Does this seem like something a manager would do as a pre-PIP process? 2) how common is it to be pushed out after just a few months? 3) even if ive level set with business partners and peers to make sure my performance is good, if the deliverables are now unrealistic, is there anything i can do? 4) how hard is it to move internally in a situation like this? any general tips would also be great! i moved from FL to seattle for what seemed like a good opportunity, and now I wake up scared.
Document everything. If you’re given an unrealistic deadline, speak to your manager and explain matter-of-factly that it’s not possible, and then follow up in writing. Something sad I’ve learned in my career is that managers won’t fuck with you if they know you’re aware of your rights and how to document. Also, to solve the problem long term, talk to her directly. In your next 1-1 I’d say something like, “I just want to check in and see what you think of where I’m spending my time. Would you like me to redirect my efforts at all?” Don’t ask for an informal performance review because that will put her on the spot. Ask about where you spend your time and effort. Then, if you still don’t trust her, get to another team.
Thanks for the tips. If she is still trying to PIP, do you know of how long it would take for that to happen?
No idea
You worked for Google in FL? What's your current TC?
I had worked at G in MTV, then moved to a renewable energy company in south Florida. I was doing well there but a recruiter at amazon reached out to me that I’d be a good fit and now I’m regretting it haha TC: ~120k
You could be paranoid, but what you’re describing is possible. Team mate of mine (currently at amzn) got pushed out after 6 months. Started out like what you’re describing. Talk to your manager in next 1-1 and ask a direct question about your performance. Anything less than making it clear that your performance is not an issue, gtfo. And if you want to transfer internally, start now. Your window of opportunity will close fast due to pip/dev plan
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR RESUME AND LINKEDIN UPDATED!!!
Ex Amazon here. There is a pre PIP process where your manager tells you you're not meeting expectations, he sends a couple of emails and all that. Read some wikis but you cant move teams until you have survived a PIP. Yes pretty common to be pushed out only a few months in. If your manager doesn't think your performance is enough, business partners feedback is barely relevant. Sorry to hear you're getting in a tough spot but best thing to do is to just focus on your main customer (your manager) and see what is the #1 thing he/she is looking for. Frankly, lots of L4s don't survive the first year or two because they cant be humble enough to admit their mistakes and fix them
Get out from there, start giving interviews. No team change is possible if the plan is to put on pip.
Almost everyday i see 1 horror story post of amazon here
I don’t know the answers, but you should try moving to another team ASAP.
Are hiring managers understanding of a move this quickly? Obviously i would frame it as a “career growth” move, but I worry about the implication