Is Amazon downlevel to up level possible ?

Oct 12, 2021 36 Comments

Recently gave L6 SDE interview and I think I aced all rounds except bar raiser.
Got L5 numbers today
330K + 50k special sign on

I am level 63 at msft with ๐Ÿฅœ 240K TC. 10 YOE
I rejected offer immediately and, actully bar raiser was pretty hard to understand his ascents. So it took lot of time for me what he is asking in question itself. I told this to HR immediately but no action from them.

Is it all done with that one bar raiser ? Seriously feeling bad, I worked so hard to get there.
Though FB/G/Dropbox interviews are lined up, but wanted to work in AWS

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TOP 36 Comments
  • Amazon / Eng
    ๐Ÿค“

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    ๐Ÿค“
    Pass other interviews and use AWS offer as a leverage. Youโ€™ll see much higher TCs as at AWS.

    Donโ€™t join as L5. Promotion to L6 is very political and there are folks on your future team who are probably lined up for it. Either youโ€™ll come after their promotions or they will make you a PIP candidate.
    Oct 12, 2021 0
  • Amazon
    hmack

    Go to company page Amazon

    hmack
    I have seen some people here try to show their power by doing such cheap things, in interviews and otherwise. We have some pretty bad SDE-3s here with 5-6 YOE (although some pretty good too).

    I don't think working in AWS is as glorified as it looks from the outside, good work only in some teams. You probably dodged a bullet.
    Oct 12, 2021 3
    • Amazon
      y33tcode

      Go to company page Amazon

      y33tcode
      That's not the purpose of a bar raiser actually. The hiring manager has the last say, if the entire room was not inclined they could go against it, I've seen it done once albeit at a downlevel. It's rare and poor form, but possible.
      Oct 12, 2021
    • Amazon
      hmack

      Go to company page Amazon

      hmack
      Yeah, I wouldn't think the bar raiser would have done it either. They are actually the most experienced and probably the nicest. I would more worry about other interviewers trying to downgrade your performance.
      Oct 12, 2021
  • Amazon / Eng
    PipPapPoe

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    PipPapPoe
    You're getting L6 salary at L5. I'd actually be happy with less responsibility and more $$
    Oct 12, 2021 0
  • Dropbox
    Timothy Y.

    Go to company page Dropbox

    Timothy Y.
    WTf, Amazon is now giving $380k for L5 rolesโ€ฆ.. seriously wtf.

    I left as L6 and my pay at that time was $300~~ for Seattle
    And now L5s r getting $380

    Seriously W T F
    Oct 12, 2021 20
    • Amazon / Other
      Dorami

      Go to company page Amazon Other

      PRE
      DC Government
      Dorami
      yeah with that high tc comes high pip risk ๐Ÿ™ƒ
      Oct 12, 2021
    • Thanks folks !! Yeah agree that 63 is way behind l6.
      I just sucked in msft on l1b visa and bad managers. First year on h1b this time finlly got on lottery - need to work hard to catch up with my friends.
      Ps - i worked in amazon as sde-1 from 2014 to 2015 - left amzon too soon
      Oct 12, 2021
  • I feel you may have a good chance to add additional round if recruiter buys your words. Otherwise, level is not negotiable. You can ask for upper bound of E5.
    Oct 12, 2021 0