New Grad Offer - Amazon or VMware?

eBay
nbasile

Go to company page eBay

nbasile
Nov 10, 2021 30 Comments

Recently got these SWE new grad offers and I gotta decide soon.

Amazon - Seattle

1st Year TC: $159,000 ($118k after tax)
2nd Year TC: $155,000 ($116k after tax)

VMware - Palo Alto

1st Year TC: $177,500 ($119k after tax)
2nd Year TC: $150,000 ($101k after tax)

I know Amazon gets a bad rap… but it’s still Amazon.

VMware isn’t a popular name but will it hurt my long term prospects? It has a comparable salary, at least for the first year… (They said not negotiable)

Any insight is appreciated

Current TC: 0k

#amazon #vmware #newgrad #newgradsalary #offer #swe #software

New Grad Offer - Amazon or VMware?
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TOP 30 Comments
  • Amazon
    fender123

    Go to company page Amazon

    fender123
    Good to know new grads at Amazon is getting way more base bay than tenured SDE2.
    Nov 10, 2021 4
  • Amazon
    ptheven

    Go to company page Amazon

    ptheven
    VMware has great CEO approval. And I believe they have better overall life.
    However VMware also has unlimited PTO which is a trap, as we all know. Id rather take the 10 days PTO at Amazon that I'm rightfully entitled to than take 0 days at VMware due to fear of PIP
    Nov 10, 2021 2
    • VMware / Eng
      WiteTpoisN

      Go to company page VMware Eng

      WiteTpoisN
      WTH, we have 15 days annual leaves, 5 days casual leaves, 5 day official Christmas shutdown, EPIC2 holidays for all.
      Unlimited PTO is only for this year and no one takes 2-3 months PTO, it's more like a week in 2-3 months.

      People at Amazon are so afraid of PIP that they think it's everywhere.
      PIP in VMware doesn't exist practically, only incompetent middle management folks gets laid off.
      Nov 11, 2021
    • Yext
      UYze18

      Go to company page Yext

      UYze18
      lol 10 days..? you can take more than that with unlimited super easily without raising any eyebrows
      Nov 11, 2021
  • Amazon
    iEDe66

    Go to company page Amazon

    iEDe66
    Congrats. Good offers for new grad.
    VMware will negotiate, just tell them about the competing Amzn offer. Give them a number little higher than what you expect. I found their HR to be really nice to work with!
    Amazon has a bad rap on blind and IMO too. But it's a really good place to develop your skill set, something you might miss at VMware as a new grad!
    I would personally take Amzn and then in a year or two jump to another company for an early sde-2 equivalent position.
    Nov 10, 2021 4
    • eBay
      nbasile

      Go to company page eBay

      nbasile
      OP
      @GM Financial TC is 175k if you calculate RSU as 25% each year when it’s actually 5% first year. I think a lot of people calculate this wrong when talking about Amazon
      Nov 10, 2021
    • VMware
      belief404

      Go to company page VMware

      belief404
      VMware will not negotiate new grads. All get paid the same based on job code and location.
      Nov 11, 2021
  • Amazon
    blind monk

    Go to company page Amazon

    blind monk
    Seattle vs Bay Area is a big choice too
    Nov 10, 2021 0
  • Amazon
    h1transf

    Go to company page Amazon

    h1transf
    Amazon comp can go higher and especially with how shitty it is don’t settle for this lowball offer.
    Nov 10, 2021 4
    • eBay
      nbasile

      Go to company page eBay

      nbasile
      OP
      Both Amazon and VMware said no negotiations at all to me :/ Amazon doesn’t even tell you your location or what team you would be on till after you sign the offer
      Nov 10, 2021
    • Amazon
      h1transf

      Go to company page Amazon

      h1transf
      So the same thing happened with me.

      They didn’t even negotiate and their team matching is a shitty process .
      I would say , keep interviewing , as you’re a new grad you’d probably get a better offer at Microsoft , though they lowball sde2s , their new grad offers are usually good .
      If you have to really choose between amazon and VMware , if it’s not too much a risk , write an email to both the recruiters and say that you’re really interested the opportunity talking and mention about your competing offers and say that meeting your pay expectations by beating the offer will make the offer acceptance process much easier ?
      Not sure , if something can be done or if this will work , but just a thought .

      That being said , I’d still say to keep trying for more interviews as the market is really hot right now.

      Especially Amazon is struggling with hiring because it’s such a shitty place.

      At the end no matter what offer you accept , don’t worry too much your future prospects as both of them are comparable .

      Maybe if you’re really wanting to care about brand . You can consider Joining amazon and get out in a year or two if possible .
      Nov 10, 2021