Hi, I am making this post again to make a decision I am struggling with. Suggestions are appreciated. Here is some analysis I have done so far. But more insights from experienced people at both the companies would be helpful. Microsoft Pros: 1. Visa (Promised to send to Vancouver and bring back on L-1 visa and apply for H-1B) 2. Good pay - average for 4 years is $340000 3. No PIP culture Cons: 1. Work is not interesting, infrastructure related work. 2. Hard to switch teams 3. Difficult to become a manager Amazon Pros: 1. Interesting work, machine learning (science and development) 2. Will take care of visa issues if performance is good. 3. Easy to switch teams 4. Chances of becoming a manager 5. Pay is good as well - average for 4 years is $290000 Cons: 1. PIP culture 2. Can’t change teams or relocate due to visa issues if put on dev list Situation: F-1 OPT expires next year and would need to move to Canada and come back if H-1B doesn’t get through next time. So whatever company I choose now, I would have to stay for next 3 years at the least if I want to come back to US. YoE: 3
340k for 3 yoe?? 😳😳 Can you share the break down
205k base + 350k in stocks over 4 years + 15% target bonus + 100k sign on over 2 years. This is after negotiating. Initially they offered 185k base with $300k in stocks.
L5 / senior sde?
So, you are on L1 or H1B now?
I am on F-1 OPT now
340k for 3 yoe?? Also are you already at Amzn?
Yeah, their initial offer was coming down to about $315k. $340k is after negotiation. Waiting for the new offer letter but having second thoughts to sign because of the differences in work. While I am currently working on machine learning, which is my forte, the work at Microsoft is on infrastructure. Yes, I am already at Amazon.
Unless you are sold on free bananas (real thing), then MSFT no brainer
Yeah but the only concern I have about Microsoft right now is the work. I am doing machine learning at Amazon which is my forte. That wouldn't be the case at Microsoft since work would be on infrastructure.
were you able to pass the infra msft interview questions because at amazon you are responsible for a lot of ops yourself?
Microsoft likely you’ll fall in love with Canada but if at all you want to come to the US, only do so after you’re a Canadian citizen
That is the plan for now. May I understand why you said Microsoft? My only concern with Microsoft is the type of work.
Msft. Moving teams is not very hard. Couple of questions- 1. Do you have a Canadian PR ? How easy/ what’s the timeline to get it ? 2. How long have you been at amazon ? It may be easier to move internally to amazon Canada.
Thanks for your response. I am glad to hear it is not very hard. 1. Yes, I do have a Canadian PR. It’s really easy. Feel free to DM and I can give you the info. 2. I have been at Amazon for a year now. I know it is easier to move to Amazon Canada easily. Which is why I am conflicted because I am not in a bad place right now and work on ML at Amazon. What would your advice be considering everything?
Everyone else here is only thinking Amazon bad, Microsoft good, but hear me out: Stay at Amazon. You'll feel more productive and have a bigger impact working in the area you're comfortable with. Amazon's stock will continue to grow and the comp gap will diminish quickly. Working on infrastructure will get frustrating, unless it's what you're looking for. The comp difference won't make up for job satisfaction.
Thank you for the advice. I am looking for insights that would help long term and I must say your response has really impressed me. I do agree with your point. Right now, I love my team and also the work and impact I am having. I am getting to build one of the core ML platforms for Amazon which is a new one from scratch and leading it. I am working on modeling and also lead the team. Which is why, even though MSFT is offering bit more now, I am having second thoughts. The product at Microsoft is not Azure and is not a top product either. My major concern is visa right now. I personally think if I do my work on my current team I won’t get PIP. Considering the visa variable, would you still recommend Amazon? Reason is I need to get back to US to stay with family.
Driving a project from scratch that could have company wide impact is a rarity. You're not going to get that opportunity with your YOE elsewhere other than startups. If your H1B fails, and if you're a Canadian citizen, you can switch to TN. If PR, just work at the Vancouver office for a year and come back on a L1. I wouldn't worry too much about it if you still have time on your F1.
Go for MSFT. You will still have access to AMZN free bananas.
Whoa. I have 3 YOE and your TC is double mine. Do you have a PhD or is there something wrong with me?
Cons for Amazon: it’s amazon