4 ms·

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 o

by strlen 16y ago

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: there are people here who aren't software engineers (but other educated, technical intelligentsia types) and they live just fine on $70-90k (this is what a physicist I knew at Intel was making, for example). * Working at Google increases your market value tremendously. As does being local to the valley and having a visa. * Working for a well-funded, mid-to-late stage startup is another attractive option in the valley (that's what I am doing and I am very happy where I am), but that is hypothetical: you have an offer in your hand from Google and they're sponsoring you from a visa. Take it; if you don't like after a few years, your options are plentiful (if you don't get a raise at Google -- and I'd be surprised if that's the case -- you'll easily be able to get a higher salary elsewhere).

keeptrying 16y ago
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 great environment. Some of my friends came to the states with $40K starting salary and now they earn about $100K base + bonus(Denver,CO).
- trustfundbaby 16y ago
  > 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. I can't second this enough, be sure to stay on top of this and nudge them to file for the Green card at the same time they file for the h1-b or very soon after. Then you can have a green card in no time at all.
  - mavelikara 16y ago
    +1. Try to figure out when your green card application will be filed. The earlier, the better.
- mulch 16y ago
  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?
  - keeptrying 16y ago
    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.
Locke1689 16y ago
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).
- Psyonic 16y ago
  What benefits were better? Google's benefits seem pretty generous to me.
  - Locke1689 16y ago
    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.
    - Psyonic 16y ago
      What is their health insurance? It's true that Google employees don't have private offices (in general), though this isn't a big deal for me personally. Google doesn't have a discount card like Microsoft Prime, but they do have discounts with many companies. I
strlen 16y ago
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).

by strlen 16y ago

keeptrying 16y ago

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 great environment. Some of my friends came to the states with $40K starting salary and now they earn about $100K base + bonus(Denver,CO).

trustfundbaby 16y ago
> 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. I can't second this enough, be sure to stay on top of this and nudge them to file for the Green card at the same time they file for the h1-b or very soon after. Then you can have a green card in no time at all.
- mavelikara 16y ago
  +1. Try to figure out when your green card application will be filed. The earlier, the better.
mulch 16y ago
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?
- keeptrying 16y ago
  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.

Locke1689 16y ago

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).

Psyonic 16y ago
What benefits were better? Google's benefits seem pretty generous to me.
- Locke1689 16y ago
  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.
  - Psyonic 16y ago
    What is their health insurance? It's true that Google employees don't have private offices (in general), though this isn't a big deal for me personally. Google doesn't have a discount card like Microsoft Prime, but they do have discounts with many companies. I

strlen 16y ago

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).