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

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TOP 62 Comments
  • What kind of outline structure do you use to write your case studies for portfolio review presentations?
    Dec 7, 2020 2
    • I’m very process heavy so I start with an overview of my process, and then I use that as a general outline for each of the case studies with a bit more context. For my last case studies, here was my outline:

      - 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.
      Dec 7, 2020
    • Thank you!
      Dec 7, 2020
  • Amazon
    oaNO06

    Go to company page Amazon

    oaNO06
    How was the salary negotiations?
    Did you push hard for what you wanted?
    How many times did the recruiter go back and forth?
    Dec 14, 2020 3
  • Amazon
    uxdes

    Go to company page Amazon

    uxdes
    How many portfolio pieces do you have on your portfolio site? How many did you present during the interview? What’s the most important part they wanted to see in your case studies? Thanks for sharing! Congrats!!
    Dec 5, 2020 2
    • I have three in depth case studies on my site with a gallery page that has random shots from lots of projects with no explanation. I honestly didn’t put much effort into the portfolio site because it’s more about the portfolio presentation — which I did two different case studies on. One of those case studies wasn’t even accounted for in my portfolio since it was a newer project and I didn’t feel like updating my portfolio.

      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.
      Dec 5, 2020
    • Amazon
      uxdes

      Go to company page Amazon

      uxdes
      Thanks for sharing this! Very helpful! Congrats again 😊
      Dec 5, 2020
  • Dell / Eng
    qsVz84

    Go to company page Dell Eng

    qsVz84
    I have 7 yoe in non-fanng company. Will be considered for L5 or L4 level?
    Dec 12, 2020 3
    • Dell / Eng
      qsVz84

      Go to company page Dell Eng

      qsVz84
      Thanks for the information.

      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.
      Dec 12, 2020
    • All my responses are for UX/UI/Product design FYI.
      Dec 12, 2020
  • T-Mobile / Retail
    Galadriel🧝‍♀️

    Go to company page T-Mobile Retail

    Galadriel🧝‍♀️
    Congrats! Can you open up a bit more on business context and opportunities? Thanks!
    Dec 7, 2020 2
    • Sure thing. What’s the TAM (total addressable market), what are our revenue targets, who are the market incumbents, are we looking to enter a new verticals or up sell existing users, what tech are we building on top of, what is our market differentiator, will we need tech transfer from other teams, and how is the business investing in this (new headcount, etc...) among others.
      Dec 7, 2020
    • T-Mobile / Retail
      Galadriel🧝‍♀️

      Go to company page T-Mobile Retail

      Galadriel🧝‍♀️
      Great, thanks you!
      Dec 7, 2020