Stay at Microsoft or accept Google L3 downlevel?

Microsoft / Eng
Saenz

Go to company page Microsoft Eng

PRE
Amazon
Saenz
Apr 4 29 Comments

I hit my 3.5 year cliff at Microsoft as L61 and received a downlevel L3 offer from Google.

I've gone through interview loops with all the companies I want to go to and didn't receive any competitive offers / rejections.

At a dilemma of what I should do? Putting ego aside, is accepting downlevel the worst thing to do?

TC: 240K pre cliff. 160K post cliff
YOE 3.5

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TOP 29 Comments
  • Microsoft / Eng
    Saenz

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    PRE
    Amazon
    Saenz
    OP
    UPDATE: I landed Uber L4
    Apr 5 4
  • Google
    sundr

    Go to company page Google

    sundr
    I'd say take a down level. You don't have any other offers. You have two choices now. Continue with Microsoft and move somewhere after 6-12 months, or go to Google as L3 likely with a higher comp. You could get promoted to L4 after 1.5 years which is the level you'd get hired at after 1 year.

    Google is a much better place to be than Microsoft. I've been at both.
    Apr 4 2
    • Microsoft / Eng
      Saenz

      Go to company page Microsoft Eng

      PRE
      Amazon
      Saenz
      OP
      Yeah I think bring up good points. Thanks! Do you know if it's possible with good performance to raise TC with internal promo to as high as an external offer?
      Apr 4
    • Google
      sundr

      Go to company page Google

      sundr
      L4 band is wide. I don't think you'd directly get top level TC just after promo. Having said that, Google does pay more to top performers. You should also factor in 60-80k refreshers per year starting your second year - January 2024 if you do join
      Apr 4
  • Shippo
    xerocks

    Go to company page Shippo

    xerocks
    interview again for Google L4 after cool down. keep interviewing elsewhere
    Apr 4 2
  • Amazon
    YUEu83

    Go to company page Amazon

    YUEu83
    Don’t ever take a down level when moving between companies of similar tier.
    Apr 4 1
    • Google
      sundr

      Go to company page Google

      sundr
      What someone should look for is the opportunity cost by staying, or moving to another company after 6-8 months vs taking the offer. Generic statements like "don't ever" are of much use.
      Apr 4
  • Linus Health
    hetweakin

    Linus Health

    hetweakin
    What’s the TC for your L3 offer? Important to know for us to help
    Apr 4 3
    • Microsoft / Eng
      Saenz

      Go to company page Microsoft Eng

      PRE
      Amazon
      Saenz
      OP
      I assume the TC for L3 should be around 200K
      Apr 4
    • Linus Health
      hetweakin

      Linus Health

      hetweakin
      Hmm yeah that wouldn’t be much of a difference to where I’d say the pressure’s on to leave. I’d keep interviewing.
      Apr 4