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Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

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Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#91

Post by strlen »

strlen wrote: post #24

Do it. $110k is lower than you might get elsewhere, but it shouldn't matter for this reason: * Compared to Microsoft, Apple, etc... $110k for somebody coming on a visa is still a good deal. If you're local to the valley , then sure you can get a higher number. Nonetheless, this is still competitive. * If $110k is "too low" for you to live off, even with a family in the valley, you're doing something wrong. Newsflash:…

Can't edit the post, but there's a significant factor I also forgot: don't forget Google's bonuses, they're significant (I keep hearing 30%, but can't confirm it) and haven't been rescinded during the recession. So now, you're talking >$140k; that's a great deal given the other factors (name recognition, benefits).

Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#92

Post by keeptrying »

mulch wrote: post #81
keeptrying wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also just to add to this, with your experience you'd be able to apply in the EB2 category for a Green Card and since your British, you should be able to get it in 2 years or less. And once you have a visa, you can work for anyone here in the US by just transferring it. Transferring a visa is much much simpler a process than getting a new one. I think this is a great opportunity to get to the states and work in a grea…

I'm interested to know more about this. I do have a Masters degree but it's in an unrelated field (economics--don't ask). Does that qualify as an "advanced degree"? I assume not since it's not related to my field. Or? The description I found of the EB2 said an advanced degree or "significant" benefit to the national economy. Heh. That applies?

My Masters is in Physics. It doesnt really matter. Also you have work ex right? That actually counts for more.

Make sure you get at least a verbal arrangement with them that they will apply for a greencard for you as soon as you start the job with them.

I would even recommend that if they say they cant do that, then tell them you can bear the cost of it. It should be 10K max I think. But its google ... so I think they will surely have a process.

Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#93

Post by eduardo_f »

iampims wrote: post #40
dotBen wrote: post #20

Fellow Brit who moved out here 4 years ago.. I say go for it, especially if Google are going to sponsor your H1B. Make sure you completely understand the visa process and timeline though (if it's H1B you may have to wait a period of time before you can actually move). Don't forget you could always move jobs in a year so Google is a great 'landing' into the Bay Area. If you have 11 years experience $110k seems a littl…

Did your visa application cost $20k? It seems extremely high. I heard it's usually around $5K (fees + lawyers).

We did it in a company I was working before and it was a little above $3k (in Chicago).

Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#94

Post by brg »

mulch wrote: post #87
brg wrote: post #86

This is in line with SWEIII offers. However, your experience should be enough to be slotted into Senior, which will increase your salary and GSU's. If this is a senior/slotting offer it is low. If you come in at SWEIII you will be in the same buck as newly hired graduate students, SWEII's who have had a lucky year, and lifers with no motivation. There are others in that bucket, but those are the ones with whom you wi…

What base do grads start at?

SWEII (Software Engineer 2). Management considers this a transitional level. People are expected to move out of it quickly.

Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#95

Post by iamelgringo »

lrm242 wrote: post #42
iamelgringo wrote: post #35

I have no idea whether to take the gig or not, but just know that if you take the job at Google, you're not going to be able to work on side projects in your spare time. California law states that as long as the person isn't in direct competition with their employer, they can keep any IP they develop while not on company time. If you work for Google, however, you work for a company who is trying to organize the world…

I'm sorry, but that isn't correct. California employment law is the most liberal around when it comes to protecting an employees right to perform works on their own time. As long as you don't build a competing search engine, write a competitor to Google mail, etc you're fine. In fact, even if you did, it is likely that Google won't care and won't sue, because the law leans towards the employee in this case.

Ummmm...

I have had a number of conversations with Google employees that have told me that they've been prevented from working on outside projects because of this.

Whether Google is on the right side of the law, or not, that's another conversation entirely, but what I'm telling you is from GOOG employees venting to me about work. YMMV

Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#97

Post by Locke1689 »

Psyonic wrote: post #88
Locke1689 wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually $110k sounds pretty low for Microsoft, especially when you take into account differential cost of living (assuming their Redmond campus). In fact, most people I know who have been courted by Microsoft and Google got better financial offers from Microsoft (especially in terms of benefits).

What benefits were better? Google's benefits seem pretty generous to me.

I've heard that the retirement plans are better -- I don't know the details of that. The health insurance at Microsoft is much better. All Microsoft employees have private offices (I love that, this is a "Big Deal"(TM)). I haven't heard if Google has anything equivalent to Microsoft Prime.

Re: Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#99

Post by nandemo »

llimllib wrote: post #64
nandemo wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's rather heteronormative.

Man do I love that word! It just rolls off the tongue. Anyway, though, you know that most people are, in fact, hetero? Without having been given other information it he's got a ~90% chance of guessing right. But feel free to comment on what it's like for a gay dude in the valley, that would be interesting.

I'm a straight guy and I've never been to California. It was just a joke. ;-)
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