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Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

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Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer?

#1

Post by mulch »

Hi HN, posting anonymously.

I've just been offered a job at Google in Mountain View as a software engineer. I'm 35 and I have about 11 years of experience.

I'm from England and have a no-name degree. I would be sponsored for a visa.

So I have a couple of questions:

- Is $110k a good base salary for the Bay area?

- How does 200 GSUs stack up?

- Would you take the job? If so, why? If not, why not?

I work in the Thames valley currently and don't know how my standard of living will change.

I am a C++ programmer who hasn't previously worked for a "name" company and my degree is from a no name poly in the UK.

I must admit I'm tempted to go work on a scale I've never seen before. But Google seems a little more like a large company than a startup these days.

Note: of course some of the details have changed to obfuscate the source.

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

#5

Post by enki »

michaelhalligan wrote: post #3

$110k seems a tad low for someone with over a decade's experience in the bay area. I'd be looking for more around $150k/year in wage slavery as an overall comp package (bonuses and expected stock sale value added to base salary)

http://payscale.com/ and http://glassdoor.com/ suggest that the median is lower, not higher.

But that's not even the point. With $110k you'll live more than great here, and if you're good you can always find new opportunities or a raise.

Unless you have better alternatives, go for it - i'd trade a lot of income to live here rather than back home :)

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

#6

Post by ardit33 »

110k is way too low, they are definitely lowballing you. If you think you are good, you should be making at least 130k-140k+, so I am sure you can negotiate that.

If they don't come up on salary, you still can do the following: 1. Join google, work hard, get some experience, make some friends, then 2. Few months (or years) later, look for better opportunity with a better pay. It would be easier for you to find another job.

But, you should really consider other lifestyle factors:

1. If you have a family 110k is way too low, as most likely your wife is not going to be able to work.

2. If you are single, you are more likely going to stay single. If you are in a age (35) that are looking to find a long time partner to form a family, dating in the valley is going to suck. I mean really really bad. SF is a bit better, still not that great to find a quality life partner.

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

#7

Post by vonconrad »

I would say "do it." Working for Google is a dream to many developers/engineers. Their reputation is generally pretty good.

Career wise? If you don't end up liking it (or think that the salary is too low), you'll be in the Bay area with a visa, Google on your resume and 12+ years of experience (assuming you'll be with Google for at least a year). I would bet your chances of getting another kickass job would be a lot higher than if you didn't take the Google job.

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

#8

Post by ericabiz »

Seems a bit low for the Bay Area, but this is subjective and depends on what else they are giving you in terms of perks (free food, etc.)

Someone else said rent was $1500. I lived in the Bay Area for 10 years and $1500 gets you a 1BR apartment (maybe 2BR if you want to live south or east). It gets you a share if you want to live in San Francisco. For a house, you are looking at $3K+.

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

#10

Post by scg »

Consider doing a startup. Most likely you'll be able to get a good job later on if you change your mind.

If startups aren't your thing for now, that's OK. Get an offer from Facebook and ask Google for a better deal.

It's great to strive for a better deal and lament about your GSUs, but I wouldn't loose too much sleep on it. Money shouldn't be the first thing you should worry about. IMHO Google is still one of the best companies to work for. Yes, it's more like a corporation and less like a startup but it's still a great place to be for an engineer.

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