Is it worth it to be downleveled to get into FAANG?
Context
I did a few interviews in the last months for some software engineer, and in the end it came down to 2 companies: Google (started loop as L4 but got downleveled to L3) & DoorDash (L4). I'm L3 at another tech company (smaller than these), already scheduled for promotion for L4 as I've been performing accordingly for some time. Per my understanding, levels (L3/L4/L5 or E3/E4/E5) are similar between these companies.
I have around ~4 YoE now and graduated 2 years ago, though only 1.5 YoE on larger projects at US companies (i.e. roles that I suppose would be closer to a FAANG environment), as I worked on smaller local products and consultancies before. This is my first time actually preparing for this format of interviews, so I'm kind of glad that I at least passed L3 for Google.
Offers
DoorDash already extended an offer and Google said that HC approved for L3, but still have to go through team matching. DD's offer has significantly more TC (like >30%).
Doubts
I really wanted to join Google at first since I have tons of friends and family working there, but at L3, seems that I would be taking a step back just for the sake of being able to say that I worked at Google, so I'm actually biased towards going to DoorDash, here's my rationale:
- Significantly more TC
- Remote-friendlier
- Already worked (and enjoyed) with a lot of people that I would be working with at DoorDash (also likely why they accepted me as L4 instead of L3, because I had some 'advocates' there). While at Google I still have to go through team matching and I don't have a clue on what I'd be working with.
- Would start as L4, with a higher performance bar and expectations, and aiming for 1~2 years later would be looking at L5, instead of still looking at L4 at Google.
- Even if I got promoted quickly at Google, would likely be at the lower band of L4 salary, so not only 1~2 years of lower TC and possibly smaller scope, but likely even more.
- This is my first time preparing for this type of interviews, so even if I want to join Google a year or two down the line, I would have not only more experience under my belt for both behavioral and technical interviews, but also more time and resources to prepare.
What flaws can you find in my train of thought? I find this very confusing to take a decision, seems that it is a common situation as I searched for it a lot and everyone seems to call FAANG in general as "kings of down-leveling".
Discussion
(8 comments)- 1
a month agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course HeroIn general, it's good to take a down-level to go to FAANG or a FAANG-adjacent company:
- The compensation will probably still be higher - It is crazy how much higher FAANG pays to the rest of the industry
- It's for your own good, especially now - Expectations at FAANG are very high, and I have seen so many engineers get PIP-ed coming from a less prestigious company into FAANG while retaining their level. I got down-leveled to E4 at Meta after being a tech lead at Course Hero, and it was the right call
That being said, you are in an amazing position as DoorDash is definitely a FAANG-level company and you got leveled properly at L4 (4 YOE definitely shouldn't be leveled at L3). To me, this is a no-brainer - Just take the DoorDash offer!
I have seen so many engineers go crazy about working for Google due to its historical clout, but it's not worth the downlevel if you have a competing offer like DoorDash and Google frankly isn't the innovative company it used to be (it's still great to work there though, just not the absolute best).
If you haven't already, try to negotiate the offers up. Just say you have a competing Google offer (the Google name will strike fear into the hearts of any negotiating company, haha), and don't reveal the level obviously. Here's our negotiation course: [Course] The Insider's Guide To Negotiating Your Tech Salary And Compensation
Congrats on the offers!
- 0
a month agoMid-Level Software Engineer [OP]Taro CommunityHi Alex, thank you for the detailed explanation!
I'm leaning towards DoorDash as well, here's my rationale, in case someone ends up in a similar situation (already following the onboarding course 😂):
On these two points you mentioned for usual cases downleveling being a good idea, I can see how my case would be an exception:
- DoorDash's offer TC is way higher than Google's, so #1 wouldn't apply
- I firmly believe I can perform at L4 since I had that feedback from my previous company (not FAANG, but founded by a known big tech name and known to poach engineers from FAANG and other big techs) and got said offer from DD, so #2 likely won't apply
Besides that:
- Few years from now, if I still want to join Google, having experience at L4 and more resources ($) means that I'll probably be more prepared to join Google at L4 or maybe even L5.
- Personally, I know a fair amount of people that I'd be working with at DD and I already have experience in this industry (food, food delivery), so I kinda feel at home.
On an alternate reality where Google's TC was higher, then I would consider it over DD, personally.
Eager to finish other courses to accelerate my tenure at DD, then!
- 1a month agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
fwiw, 4 YOE = definite L4. If you only had 1-2 YOE, then taking an L3 downlevel could make sense, but certainly not at 4 YOE. I'm making a L3 -> L4 course soon where I'll outline the differences between the 2 levels in great detail.
L4 is also a level where even if you aren't acting at that level, you can feasibly catch up to it within 3 months, at most 6 (and with Taro, this becomes even easier). L5+ is when things get dicey - If you join as L5 for example but are operating at L4 or even L4 Exceeds Expectations, catching up within 6 months will be very hard.
Lastly, it's so Google of Google to downlevel you to L3 with 4 YOE. They did the same thing to Rahul. Classic Google being the absolute 🤴 of downleveling...
- 1a month agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
I would pick DoorDash: it's of the same caliber as other FAANG jobs, but the higher level (mid-level instead of entry-level) makes it the winner.
If you already have a big name brand on your resume (e.g., a top university or a large company), this becomes an even easier choice! Since Google won't have too much marginal value on top of your existing background.
- 1a month agoMid-Level Software Engineer [OP]Taro Community
Thanks for your response Rahul!
I don't have such a big name brand on my resume yet, definitely some good tech brands, and I suppose DoorDash would be a good addition to it, maybe not as top tier, but perhaps close?
- 2
a month agoThoughtful TarodactylTaro CommunityDoorDash is 100% comparable to FAANG level prestige imo
- 1a month agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
I think DoorDash is better than Google actually as you'll have more scope there. Actual FAANG is almost completely exhausted of meaningful scope. When you hire 100,000+ amazing engineers, they're going to run through your impactful problem pool pretty fast...
- 1a month agoMid-Level Software Engineer [OP]Taro Community
Wow Alex, that is exactly what my friend that referred me for this interview process at Google said. Spot on.
