Would you switch from Microsoft to Amazon?
Currently at Microsoft and have an offer from Amazon. Its ~20% above(I have factored in 401K, espp already and after that I am getting a 20% hike) than what I currently make. Team and work sound interesting. But I have been hearing a lot lately about bad Amazon culture. I know it depends on the team, but I wouldn't know that until I join since I have no contacts in the team/org. I want to grow, yes but at the same time, I don't want to be tensed about work all the time. My current team at MS is good, but growth is slow. I have no other offers. I am not sure if I should take the chances against culture. Any suggestions? TC 150K
Which Level and team you join, may matter. I have an offer for SDE3 and i declined for culture being one of the reasons.
I just did and I LOVE it here! It’s like MSFT was years ago! No meetings about meetings about meetings, Ted tape, etc... Best decision I’ve ever made!
IMO it wasn’t the initial impression that made me hate amazon (though it was bad), it was being there 2.5 years and seeing a lot of shit that accumulates. I hope your time is better than mine but their rep isn’t completely undeserved.
Yeah.. you gotta watch out for that Ted tape... it’s the worst! Ted should have never invented it!
If it's only 20% i wouldn't come to Amazon. You get a lot more benefits from Microsoft for 20% especially, the commute if you live on the eastside and food. Way more expensive eating at Amazon then on camps at msft. Only perk at Amazon is free bananas, that's it. And yes work life balance sucks too compared to Microsoft
Look at the total comp you would make in next 4 years at both companies, AMZN doesn't pay annual bonus or stock awards, 80% of your stocks would vest in year 3 and 4..if you think you can survive amazon that long, take the plunge.
Do they not refresh based on performance?
Merit hike at max 3%, stocks yes but they would vest post vesting of your onhire stocks. So you have to endure another 2-3 years of pain before eating that carrot. Moving to L6 isn't hard but has lots of competition and red tape.
Depends on the team. Amazon’s culture is not that bad. But it’s not a place you can easily rest and vest like MS
Agree with this. It depends heavily on team
Depends on team what is Amazon level?
If you count 401k match, espp, 0 premium insurance, etc, then this is like no bump.
My insurance at Amazon is like 30 a month. I would hope that wouldn't eat into a 20% increase too much
MS 401k match $9500 free money vest instantly. Amazon is 0 if you leave in 3 years. The insurance may bump to a few hundred if you add entire family. That's a few thousand per year even more before tax. MS has HSA match $2500. MS has more holiday days and vacation/sick days.
Keep in mind differences like the 401k plan. 20% might seem great, but Amazons 401k is substantially weaker than MSFTs and itll cut into your comp boost.
Microsoft has more benefits and unless you are joining as SDE2 it is not worth the effort IMO.
GTFO then!