Help me choose - Canadian Edition

IBM
rLeI77

Go to company page IBM

rLeI77
Sep 13, 2021 32 Comments

Hello Everyone,

I've been very fortunate to receive few offers from companies. All are in Canada. All in CAD. (Ranges are estimates). Thanks to Blind for all the interviewing tips.

Current TC: 105k CAD
YOE: 2

**********
Startup (Toronto):

Level: idk
Estimated TC: 160k-175k CAD (Base + Bonus)
Stock Units/Options: TBD (don’t think they’re close to IPO soon)
Pros: Small team, opportunities to learn a lot
Cons: Few interviewers stressed that there are times you have to work a lot, and I need to be ready for it. Not a “big name” to have on resume
Relocation: None

**********
Startup (Vancouver):

Level: idk
Estimated TC: 165k CAD (Base + Bonus)
Stock Options: 5000 units (Potential value if IPO comes / buy out - 230k CAD)
Pros: Full remote possible. Everyone seemed like genuinely nice people. Team and Company are growing.
Cons: Not a “big name” to have on resume. A pretty niche space so unsure of potential long term plans.
Relocation: None

**********
Intel (Toronto):

Level: Grade 6
TC: 140-145k CAD (Base, bonus, sign on, rsu)
Pros: Incredibly smart people, challenging work. They also have a program where you can attend a Masters program with other Intel colleagues. They pay for most of it. Pretty cool.
Cons: None that I can think of tbh. Work is hard, potential ramp up times is around 1-1.25 years because of the nature of the work and code base.
Relocation: None

**********
Trading firm (Montreal):

Level: idk
Estimated TC: 140k CAD (Base, bonus). Could be around 150k+ with potential sign on.
Pros: Montreal is a nice city. Cheaper CoL. Can learn French. Excellent benefits (free food, transport, phone plan all of that jazz)
Cons: Proprietary + confidential tools. Was told to expect certain stressful times due to the nature of trading
Relocation: None

**********
Huawei (Toronto):

Level: idk
Estimated TC: 140k CAD (Base, bonus).
Pros: Work seemed to be a combination of research and industry which seemed quite interesting to me
Cons: Reputation. Stories about that 996 lifestyle which isn’t for me.
Relocation: None

**********
Microsoft (Vancouver):

Level: SDEII
Estimated TC: 160k CAD (Base, bonus, stock, bonus). First two years are a bit more due to sign on
Pros: Good WLB. Different from what I’m doing rn so chance to learn something new. Location flexibility, wouldn’t have to move for the next 8-10 months atleast. Ability to move to other teams as well after a certain time frame.
Cons: I completely forgot to negotiate relocation. Got only a small amount :(

**********
AMD (Toronto):

Level: idk (MTS I think?)
Estimated TC: 125k CAD (Base, bonus, stock).
Pros: Close to where I live currently. Interesting work.
Cons: None that I can think of.

**********
Cisco (Ottawa):

Level: idk
Estimated TC: TBD (Still waiting)
Pros: Nice WLB from what I’ve heard at friends there. Ottawa CoL is so low I could live like a king.
Cons: Its in Ottawa - Kanata to be exact. It's an absolutely depressing place to live. Nothing nearby, -40C winter.

**********
Still Interviewing:
Pretty cool chip startup which is hiring in Toronto for remote workup.
Moody’s

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comments

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TOP 32 Comments
  • AMD
    cnGq31

    Go to company page AMD

    cnGq31
    God damn. Firstly with so many good offers you should decide where you want to live. Then narrow down with TC, WLB, interests.

    Also, surprised you pulled MTS at AMD with 2 YOE, I don't think I've met a Senior Engineer with less than 3 YOE. I think your TC is more in line with Sr but I don't think level really matters. AMD TC isn't very competitive although the WLB is alright depending.
    Sep 13, 2021 8
    • TD
      yApH52

      Go to company page TD

      yApH52
      To be fair, I did revamp my resume recently and have gotten some more interviews from that, but not really doing anything on LinkedIn. What would you suggest for using LinkedIn?
      Sep 17, 2021
    • IBM
      rLeI77

      Go to company page IBM

      rLeI77
      OP
      My friend, use LinkedIn please. It’s number one source right now.

      1. Revamp your profile. Put down your skills, previous work terms, links to portfolio
      2. Set “open to new work” on. Recruiters will message you
      3. If you want to take it to the next level, try cold calling recruiters at companies. Try to get their attention and get the conversation rolling
      Sep 17, 2021
  • Amazon
    octobot

    Go to company page Amazon

    PRE
    Amazon
    octobot
    Congrats, you got a lot with very little experience. 👏🏻
    Sep 14, 2021 3
  • New
    uberalles

    New

    uberalles
    Me personally I will chose Microsoft and stay there as long as I can why not retire there( I assume you are IT/software engineer and not HW/systems/design - please stay away from the semi industry or any other place where software is not first priority for the business, Microsoft is software company so you will work with nice 2020+ stacks and there will be plenty of people to learn from.
    Sep 15, 2021 3
    • Amazon
      hoborvat

      Go to company page Amazon

      hoborvat
      C# is easy peazy. C++ is the most daunting of languages. If you can do that, c# is a cake walk.

      And yeah, this whole question is a no brainer. Microsoft without a doubt
      Sep 17, 2021
    • New
      uberalles

      New

      uberalles
      +1 ^
      Sep 17, 2021
  • Cisco / Eng
    🍎& 🍊

    Go to company page Cisco Eng

    PRE
    Broadcom Inc.
    🍎& 🍊
    Don't go to cisco until you're grade 12 or above & want to rest .
    Sep 13, 2021 0
  • DRW / Eng
    oiHe60

    Go to company page DRW Eng

    oiHe60
    Is that trading firm in montreal DRW or squarepoint capital? 🤔
    Sep 20, 2021 7
    • IBM
      rLeI77

      Go to company page IBM

      rLeI77
      OP
      Yes I could infer that as well. It’s definitely a place where I would be interested in working in the future. The benefits were excellent, absolutely top notch.

      Do you know if they blacklist you, in case you reject an offer?
      Sep 22, 2021
    • DRW
      VGqy30

      Go to company page DRW

      VGqy30
      I cannot say but If you did a good impression it should not work against you. There is always a need for good SWE in this place
      Sep 22, 2021