Microsoft (64) > Google (L5) - UX - AMA
Dec 5, 2020
62 Comments
Long time listener, first time caller. #design #interviews #ui/ux
Excited for the new opportunity and I know there’s not a lot of info on Blind for designers so I thought I’d post my situation and open it up for any questions.
Also I wanted to pay it forward because info on here and on levels.FYI definitely helped me negotiate a higher comp. Happy to answer any questions about portfolios; Google, Microsoft, or Amazon interviews (didn’t get an Amazon offer); or anything else about design in general.
9 YOE
Current TC
220
166 - base
32 - bonus
24 - stock
New TC
330 (year 1) - 300 (after, w/ no appreciation)
170 - base
30 - sign on bonus
25 - bonus
105 - stock
Levels.fyi - Compare career levels across companies
comments
- business context
- who was involved and my role
- define the problem
- problem, persona, business opportunity
- tech deep dive / understand context
- narrative
- wireframes
- research for conceptual validation
- high fidelity / design system application
- research for usability studies
- design outcomes
- end to end walkthrough (via video)
That skips some parts in the process and adds some steps that aren’t in my particular process, but I’ve received feedback in past interviews that I did go too process heavy, so I tried to dial that back.
Did you push hard for what you wanted?
How many times did the recruiter go back and forth?
I’ve done on-site loops at FB, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe, and each looks for something slightly different for the case study presentation. For Google it was much more about process, problem solving, and considering business needs — which suited my skill set well.
I won't be rejected right if I don't meet the expectations of L5 (System Design Round)
And considering I am good with at all algo rounds.
I read on Quora if a candidates experience is more and if he don't fit in the expected level, he will be rejected.