Walmart PM, 250k TC. Have a SDET offer with Apple, 280k TC. Concerned SDET may be more disposable than PM role. Vote based on which role I should take. Was previously SDET, transitioned to unsustainable (70-80 hour work week, every week) Prod role with Walmart 18 months ago. Thinking of taking Apple offer because of unsustainable nature of Walmart role and Walmart will likely have widespread layoffs once people’s disposable income craters — on the other hand Apple has a massive war chest, is requiring folks to return to office (means people will quit reducing need for layoffs), and has a brand reputation to uphold. Feels like lower likelihood of layoffs. Figure in a couple years I can segway back into Product role but this time with Apple. Am I overthinking this? Am I more disposable as a SDET than a PM? Thoughts?
Is the Walmart offer in a business unit that you think is at risk in terms of layoffs? I’d think twice about switching functions. Also if it’s an IC role and not ICT, your annual RSU grants and bonus might be lower that what you get at WMT as x5 so I’d recommend thinking through TC. Benefits and brand wise of course it’s a no brainer. But would you really be happy in your day to day? Apple isn’t that great in terms of ability to switch across functions internally. Do consider that too!
dude choose job role over prestige....pm > tester
PM roles overall are joke, I’d say they’ll go first during layoff. Take SDET do great job, get rewarded better then development
hey @Pine, off topic. I agree, that "PM roles overall are joke" but how to get one? I mean what/how to prepare to crack the interview(and before that to get a call for PM) Asking from the perspective of a Data/ETL engineer.. how to make switch to PM
@mnbvcxzpo I don’t think Pine is a PM. You’d be better off asking someone who is
Good SDET>>>>>>>>>>>>>>PM
Id take Apple over WM. There’s no WLB here. I’m not a PM but work with them closely and they’re slaves to the business 7 days a week at least on the supply chain side.
SDET at apple isn’t the cake walk you’re expecting
If you are truly a good SDET, you will never even think about PM. A highly qualified SDET is paid a lot more than PM and has a lot more impact. Most companies consider same compensation band for SDE/SRE/SDET otherwise it's not worth it.
Congrats! hope you have accepted an offer by now. I'm going to interview for SDET at Apple. Can you please comment on how the coding and "quality/testing" rounds were? how did you suggest preparing for the interview?
How's the two base salary? Also walmart wlb really depends on your team. I would honestly choose apple if you can accept on office. I personally don't.
Apple base is 180k, Walmart base is 170k. I can accept office for Apple because I live 10min away and after 18 months remote I like the idea of leaving my work at the office. I also suspect that in the long run they’ll be forced to transition permanently to remote for at least 3 days a week.
Hmm 10 minutes away is definitely nice. Well if you are ok with the the in office then go for apple. Walmart wlb is different after every reorg.