Quick success after getting down leveled

Hey Rahul. I joined Google in a similar situation. I had 2 YOE at Amazon prior to joining Google. Google's process took a long time (7 months to be precise). So I didn't get an option to apply for L4 at the time of applying. But since joining I realised my comp is also not on the higher side of L3 as well. I tried to negotiate even had counter offers of Mid level engineering positions at non FAANG companies. But still the recruiter didn't move the numbers. Would it be bad if I leave the company within 6-10 months after joining?

How much is the delta between your current Google comp and the new offer you receive? if it's not huge, I'd wait to stick around until the 1 year mark.

Also, how far away do you think the promo to L4 is? If you get L4 at Google, then mid-level engineer becomes the floor for any other company you apply to. And if you decide to come back, you'd come back to Google at least as mid-level.

I tried to negotiate even had counter offers of Mid level engineering positions

Did you do this before joining Google, or once you already had the job? If you have strong ratings and you repeat this tactic now, Google may increase your TC if you have a strong counter-offer in hand.

With my previous pay Google base pay delta was 2-3%. They gave more stocks than amazon. So TC delta came to be around 30%.

Other offers I had in hand had 20% more TC than Google offer

Also, how far away do you think the promo to L4 is? If you get L4 at Google, then mid-level engineer becomes the floor for any other company you apply to. And if you decide to come back, you'd come back to Google at least as mid-level.

I joined a relatively newly formed team. They are still trying to fill the manager's position. The projects my team would work on are also on very abstract stage now. Seems like getting promoted can take time here.

• Did you do this before joining Google, or once you already had the job? If you have strong ratings and you repeat this tactic now, Google may increase your TC if you have a strong counter-offer in hand.

I did this before joining Google. Recruiter was very rude, they were trying to sell Google tag at whatever terms they dictate. I talked to my reporting manager on this, and they said it's not possible to do anything once you join. I have seen from other forums Google generally doesn't increase TC with counter-offer once you join unless you are a TL or above?

I know multiple people who have gotten significant compensation bumps when they presented their Google manager with a substantially higher offer from a competitive company. But you're right that my examples have all been for Senior+ level employees.

As a junior engineer, you're unfortunately too easily replaceable, so you likely don't have as much leverage. Since you have 2 YoE already, and almost a year at Google, I'd apply elsewhere and only consider mid-level roles: I'm confident many companies would interview you at that level, which could translate to a big compensation + career improvement.

Here's how to avoid sharing what level you are during interviews: Recruiter Asking What Level I Am. (I cover this topic in Don't Overshare (Level, Passion, Timeline))

I still have some time (around 6 month) to complete a year at Google. Do you still recommend completing an year. Because somewhere I feel I was been tricked by the recruiter and that kind of makes me feel bad everytime I think about it.