Amazon or Shopify: Tough choice. Send help!!!

New / Eng
biunga

New Eng

PRE
Microsoft, Google, MongoDB, Facebook
biunga
Mar 15, 2020 35 Comments

I have interviewed both Shopify and Amazon. There's a good chance they will both extend an offer as per what shared with me from the recruiters at both companies (decisions been delayed due to COVID19 stuff). I don't mind moving to Toronto for Shopify. Amazon's job will be in Seattle.

Amazon looks great on a resume, it's huge, but I've been meaning to grow out of hardcore programming roles. I'd love a FAANG name on my resume.

Shopify has a director-level position. 10 or so reports. I think moving into FAANG at a better management role would be possible after this Director level position.

Both Amazon and Shopify are complete opposites. Chances of another recession are out there. Both companies may survive that. Maybe a director-level position has better chances of survival.

YoE: 8 years
Amazon: SDE2 L5 (could be L6 though but has no reports)
Shopify: Director Level position

Current TC: 280k (180k base, rest is stock, in a bay area Cloud startup)

Help me choose?

#leetcode #coronavirus #amazon #google #shopify #microsoft #career

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TOP 35 Comments
  • Microsoft / Eng
    sJth08

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    PRE
    Amazon
    sJth08
    8 years and director level position? What's happening at Shopify?
    Mar 15, 2020 6
    • New / Eng
      biunga

      New Eng

      PRE
      Microsoft, Google, MongoDB, Facebook
      biunga
      OP
      No idea. Hadn't thought about that. Yes, Amazon seems to have a presence in Canada as well. Hmmm.
      Mar 15, 2020
    • Cisco
      aher

      Go to company page Cisco

      aher
      Dont you need Canada visa to work in shopify, or, is it bay area?
      May 4, 2020
  • Amazon
    SDE\

    Go to company page Amazon

    SDE\
    Man, I’m gonna go against the grain here but do what makes you happy. Those lifestyles will be completely different. People are always making decisions as if the goal in life is to see how far/fast you can get up the corporate ladder but the goal should be to enjoy your life and be happy.
    Mar 15, 2020 3
    • Amazon
      SDE\

      Go to company page Amazon

      SDE\
      For me I had a good amount of career options (some weren’t that great paying) and I ended up choosing the one that looked the best on paper which was amazon. But as a person I wanted to be in a different city, doing different things, working in a different company culture. Lol because of that this experience sucks and I hate it here 😂.
      Mar 15, 2020
    • New / Eng
      biunga

      New Eng

      PRE
      Microsoft, Google, MongoDB, Facebook
      biunga
      OP
      Ooo dang. That's so me right now. I want to experience Canada and Shopify is the best chance to do that. Sadly, the pay would be lower than Amazon as far as I researched.
      Mar 15, 2020
  • Amazon
    niggle

    Go to company page Amazon

    niggle
    A DIRECTOR at shopify would make less than an L5 SDE at amazon??? Holy fuck what is wrong with shopify
    Mar 15, 2020 8
    • 300k USD is L7 (principal) at Amazon Canada. If you get that much at Shopify, take it. You will be more than fine.
      Mar 15, 2020
    • New / Eng
      biunga

      New Eng

      PRE
      Microsoft, Google, MongoDB, Facebook
      biunga
      OP
      300k is L7 TC?
      Mar 18, 2020
  • Amazon
    nobody_b

    Go to company page Amazon

    nobody_b
    If you join Amazon as L5, expect to work with a ton of poorly put together legacy software under time pressure to deliver. Every one is different, so, I'm saying this from my perspective - I don't know why you wanna join as an L5 if your alternative would be to manage a team of 8.

    That said, diligence is good, but it is also a folly to make conclusions without having all the data. I'd wait until I have both offers in hand and then compare and decide. But if you are offered L6, definitely go with Amazon.
    Mar 20, 2020 0
  • New / Product
    lmr

    New Product

    lmr
    Have you managed a team before? Jumping right to managing a 10 member team will be difficult.. I have heard Shopify has great wlb and overall good folks
    Mar 15, 2020 4
    • New / Eng
      biunga

      New Eng

      PRE
      Microsoft, Google, MongoDB, Facebook
      biunga
      OP
      I actually enjoy both sides of it. As it so happens, I'm thinking of Amazon more. Let's see
      Mar 18, 2020
    • New / Product
      lmr

      New Product

      lmr
      Good luck!
      Mar 18, 2020