Hi all, I was reached out to by a recruiter for a few positions and I’m trying to determine what these roles are. 1. TPM vs PgM @ Google 2. Any differences in pay? 3. Are TPMs valued/respected more? 4. Career Growth difference between the two? Roles: PM, Youtube TPM, SWE Current Role: PM @ Microsoft I do the traditional PM work along with some software architecture design and writing DB Queries. YOE: 3 TC: 120 Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.
1. Okay so a PM at Microsoft is “Program Manager” but the role is really Product Manager. So your current role more closely translates to PM at Google. So most likely whatever you do at Microsoft it will be somewhat similar at G in very broad terms. TPM on the other hand is a Technical Program Manager, which is a different job with a different scope. 2. In regard to pay it can vary but I worked closely with a PM when I was at G and their pay is comparable to SWE as is TPM. PM might be slightly higher but depends on the candidate. 3. From what I’ve seen PM’s are respected more. It’s much more coveted and harder to land generally speaking. Especially at G. 4. PM wins this one hands down. A big reason why SWE’s switch to PM is because the promotion ladder is much quicker. Especially if you end up leaving Google the chances of you upleveling wherever you go is tremendous. With 3 YOE I’m assuming you’re interviewing for L4? Regardless, both will be very difficult to land so I suggest you start prepping ASAP.
Awesome. Thank you so much for your reply. Also I just wanted to confirm that it’s Technical Program Manager Vs. Program Manager.
It’s just that a Microsoft Program Manager is really a Product Manager role wise, but don’t think on it too much. So at Google it will be Technical Program Manager vs. Product Manager if that’s what your asking.