12 YOE looking for Career Guidance

Nielsen
awJP67

Go to company page Nielsen

awJP67
Dec 10, 2019 82 Comments

Need ur inputs on the Career progression. Have 12 YOE as Full stack Engineer , primarily back end and middleware . Most of my carrer was in Consulting lead many projects primarily on Java, Spring and Aws platform. Have many certification on Java and AWS. Current TC is 155k. Most of colleagues see me as Technically strong and smart. Not sure if my potential is FAANG smart though.

didnt know abt compensation in top toer companies untill recently and figured tat i am being underpaid and with some intense preperation i could land offer in Tier 1 or 2 companies. So started LC 6 months back , 2 hrs a day in average but could not do on a daily basis with 2 young kids . Have done 80 easy and 25 Medium and lot of sustem design and some EPI. i am comfortable in System design as i have always learnt them in the side but DS/Algo needs some more prep. Taking 1 hr to solve LC Mediums whixh means needs lot more prep.

With all the prep, Got an offer recently with VZM/Oath with 220 TC in Maryland. Wondering should i take it as it has good WLB and decent TC ( ofc not at FAANG level) . I am thinking of taking this offer and keep preparing and switch to Tier 1 in near future as I am on H1b with I140 approved and with VZM/Yahoo on resume. . Other option is to reject this offer, keep preparing and get in to Tier 1 in next 6 to 8 months. But i am always worried abt WLB in Tier 1 companies with young kids. Let me know what u guys think.

Note: This new position is just 30 mins from where I am staying. So leaning towards taking up this position.

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TOP 82 Comments
  • Google / Eng
    cloudy sky

    Go to company page Google Eng

    cloudy sky
    In the FAANG group if you want WLB, I’d guess you’re probably only looking at Google. Outside of FAANG, I hear Microsoft has good WLB.

    Sounds like a good offer for now, especially in the East coast where it’ll go farther.
    Dec 10, 2019 21
  • Groupon
    space-cat

    Go to company page Groupon

    space-cat
    Before saying this sounds too harsh, disclaimer that I am in the same boat as you.

    I feel like Tier 1 and 2 interviews will be more toward the hard/medium to hard range of LC. If you are still having a lot of trouble with mediums on that much prep I don't know that more prep will get you to the levels of optimizing hards in 45 min.

    That said, I have kids as well, and I would WAY prefer a mediocre company with decent pay and great WLB. Everything I hear about FAANG is how young kids get overworked and spit back out. For older engineers like us I don't think the ROI is there for the damage it can potentially do to your personal life.

    Just my 2 cents
    Dec 11, 2019 4
    • Nielsen
      awJP67

      Go to company page Nielsen

      awJP67
      OP
      You put it in a better way and my thoughts are same. With 12YOE I will be happy in Tier 3 company and good WLB than the Tier 1 with worst WLB. Still thinking of insane TC in FAANG, itching to try them out. Not sure whether I will get into them but don’t want to regret later without trying.
      Dec 11, 2019
    • Amazon
      tttalsiyeb

      Go to company page Amazon

      tttalsiyeb
      Google doesn’t fire those staying in L4 for 10 years? FB fires them in 2 years and Amazon will PiP
      Dec 11, 2019
  • Pm me your info. We are looking for full stack cloud developers.
    Dec 11, 2019 0
  • Microsoft / Product
    Letsdoitt

    Go to company page Microsoft Product

    Letsdoitt
    40% jump in the TC is good enough reason to join VZM, focus on your job for 6 months, and start interviewing again. Also, keep in mind, these inflated TCs are largely west coast phenomenon, East coast and rest of the regions are normal.
    Dec 11, 2019 4
  • Google
    SundarPich

    Go to company page Google

    SundarPich
    220K is the top 2% of salary in the US. FAANG is a small percentage of the population, and it isn't always perfect.

    You'll be able to live a great life in MD with that income. Enjoy it!
    Dec 11, 2019 3
    • Nielsen
      awJP67

      Go to company page Nielsen

      awJP67
      OP
      I always wonder should I try FAANG or Tier 1 - For TC and kind of tech problem they get to work in . Salaries posted here for FAANG are insane and tat makes me wonder if I shudder give it a try only if tat provide decent WLB and satisfaction.
      Dec 11, 2019
    • Uber
      CantStopMe

      Go to company page Uber

      CantStopMe
      My advice is don't target WLB, as your learning becomes slower and you may end up with many years of experience and without a job
      Mar 6, 2020