Ask HN: Should I take this Google job offer? • Hacker News Board

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

#61

Post by tptacek » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 1:07 PM UTC

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).

The numbers we're getting are slightly south of that, too.

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

#62

Post by jimbobimbo » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 1:09 PM UTC

Just ask yourself a question: do you want to live in US for reason other than working for Google? If yes, go for it - $110k for a start is a good salary (I started from $60k in NJ few years back, single). Given that you'll be in a Valley, have your visa transferred to someone else, if you don't like it at Google, would not be a problem.

A caution: I hope you have at least master's degree, because in this case you'll be able to start EB-2 GC process, which is way faster than EB-3.

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

#63

Post by Artagra » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 1:35 PM UTC

I'd go for it. Having two years of working for Google on your CV will open doors in the future. Plus, you may find you love it and stay there for the rest of your life!

One thing I would take note of, as someone not from the US - realise that the US is very, very different to somewhere like the UK. In my limited experiences, the similarities mask the differences.

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

#64

Post by llimllib » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 1:51 PM UTC

nandemo wrote: post #56

jscore wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I couldn't agree more with #2. It's downright terrible.

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.

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

#65

Post by sspencer » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 1:53 PM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #53

mulch wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Without opening another can of worms, doors are more easily opened here if you have a 1st or 2:1 from say Oxford or Cambridge, particularly in the City. From across the pond it looks like the US is worse for this with grads from Stanford, MIT or CMU having a way easier time of it career-wise. It seems a lot easier to get in those "name" companies.

Yes, but this is one of the hardest doors of all to open and it's open for you right now .

100 percent agree. Never mind where you went, it's about where you are GOING.

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

#66

Post by sshah » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 1:56 PM UTC

As someone who is not working in Google, not in the Bay area, 33 and immigrant - I would do it.

$110K is low for the valley. But, Google will be a good addition on my resume, I will be in the heart of Silicon valley. I will LIVE software for however long I stay here.

Work hard in the first year, once they like your work - ask for a raise or fat(ter) bonus. Work hard in the second year. Move up. Work hard in the third year. Ask for money again. Most probably they will be tired of you. Leave.....

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

#67

Post by SanjayUttam » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 2:11 PM UTC

I say take it, it will likely be a great experience. Regarding salary: If you feel it is a bit low see if they can increase a bit (especially if this is the first number they're approached you with) Worse comes to worse, they say they cannot give you more, and you still take it.

Oh yeah...and congratulations on the offer.

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

#68

Post by misterm » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 2:21 PM UTC

File this under "problems that I wish I had".

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

#69

Post by mulch » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 2:22 PM UTC

davidw wrote: post #54

jrockway wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can't UK citizens / permanent residents work anywhere in the EU?

Sure, but objectively, it's probably easier and more remunerative in many ways to work for Google in the Bay Area than, say, seek out a job in Sicily, where the weather is certainly wonderful, but there are not many IT jobs and they generally aren't of the interesting variety (unless you did something, like, say, create Redis, in which case you can happily stay in Sicily and hack on your project:-). Not to mention th…

Trucking is hidelously expensive on the continent. No idea why. Shipping will be WAY cheaper in any port city. You'd be better off probably getting rid of your stuff and just getting new stuff (used, Ikea, whatever).

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

#70

Post by Jun8 » Wed, Sep 22, 2010, 2:29 PM UTC

Your situation is complicated by the big move from a different country (do you have a home to sell, family, kids, etc.). But here are my thoughts:

* $110K is OK. In California that's not a lot of money. However, don't be fooled by Google base salaries, they are lower than other comparable companies but the bonuses can be out of this world. Typically they could be 30% of you salary but if you can get your hands on an important project, sky's the limit.

* As others have noted, Google is a huge resume booster. This is doubly true in your case, since you're from another country and have a "no-name degree". After this, it would be orders of magnitude easier for you to land a new job in the valley.

* But know that the Google culture can be caustic, esp. if you're older and is not quite used to pulling 11pm workdays regularly. The culture is super alpha-geek with every young hot shot trying to prove him/herself and make their fortune in 2-3 years. Tl;dr: You will work your ass off.

* The initial project is crucial. Although everybody says you can change projects at will, this can only be done after 18 months or so for new hires. I had friends stuck in backwater projects leaving G without waiting that long.

So, summary: If you're planning to relaunch your career in the Valley and maybe eventually go the startup way, this is an excellent opportunity, do it immediately. Go there, quickly get your green card, work for 2 years, and jump either to a better position in G or ideally to another company.