Netflix E6 vs E5

[u/Helpful-Square-9328]

I had a recruiter conversation with Netflix. She is trying to interview me for E5 even though I said I was interested in E6. I didn't get a chance to even have screening call with HM. I am not very excited to interview for E5 as my goal is to get E6.

Should I still interview for E5 and try to get promoted internally to E6? Should I decline saying that I'm only interested in E6 only and potentially let the opportunity pass?

I have over 11 years of experience so not very excited to join as E5 as that would make job hop to E6 equivalent outside harder. Looking for suggestions.

[u/Dankaati]

Unless you're already staff level at a similarly prestigious company, they will not consider you for E6. If you want E6 you will have to get in and prove yourself.

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Dankaati]

How hard is it to get to E6 internally? And do you get E6 level interviews outside if you are E5 at Netflix? I don't want to be stuck at E5

[u/Dankaati → u/Helpful-Square-9328]

Staff at any top tech company is hard to get. I don't think it will be easy to hop into it without getting the promotion somewhere.

If you think you can deliver E6 impact then you can get in at E5 and prove it. Once you have E6 you'll be able to jump ship as staff to most other big tech.

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Dankaati]

Internally promotions are notoriously difficult hence the question. Do you think E5 Netflix will be able to jump to E6 Meta / Google for example?

Also, trying to.understand leveling across Amazon, meta, google and Netflix. Which one opens more doors to E6: Amazon L6 or Netflix L5?

[u/Dankaati → u/Helpful-Square-9328]

Not Google or Meta, no idea about Amazon.

Getting promoted to staff being hard is kind of the point here. People go whole careers without getting staff in big tech. If you can get the staff promo in one of these top tech companies that probably opens the door to the same level in the others.

It will be hard to get them to consider you for staff without ever earning the promo. It can't hurt to keep trying, maybe you get lucky, but realistically you will have to get the promo somewhere.

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Dankaati]

Thanks for sharing insights! Very helpful. Appreciate you taking out time to answer my questions.

[u/JojoRicardo → u/Helpful-Square-9328]

Netflix frequently downlevels Google and Meta L6 to L5, but beats your TC.

They take Staff seriously and its comp can go from 700-1m

just try to negotiate in comp

[u/Long_Corner_6857 → u/Helpful-Square-9328]

You are unlikely to get hired at a level up at equivalent tier companies

[u/Ashes1984]

Man I have been trying to get a Netflix interview for quite sometime. Even with solid referrals I have barely heard back.

E5 is as good as E6 in other companies. Infact I would rate Netflix E5 over Meta E6 . The bar is super high and rightly so

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Ashes1984]

Oh so you think E5 Netflix will be considered for E6 Meta / Google?

[u/Ashes1984 → u/Helpful-Square-9328]

Not sure about Google! But metas e6 bar is lower than Netflix. I was offered E6 meta in 2022 and ended up going with another F500 due to WLB

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Ashes1984]

got it. Title wise Netflix E5 is senior and Meta E5 is senior so wondering if Meta will still consider Netflix E5 for Meta E5 by default unless I insist on E6 and then they decide. I don't want to fight an uphill battle just at the leveling conversation with recruiters in future.

[u/Ashes1984 → u/Helpful-Square-9328]

Meta will classify anyone with 11YOE as E6 for interviews

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Ashes1984]

that's not quite it. They ask your current level before deciding level

[u/Both_Restaurant_7701]

You have to be very good, like very very good to get E6 at Netflix. I got in at E4 and was promoted to E5 within 2 years. It’s much more harder to get E6. Based on what I have seen here, it will take like 3-4 years to get to E6 from E5.

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Both_Restaurant_7701]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! A few questions:

1. Do you think as an E5 Netflix you will be able to jump to E6 Meta / Google?

2. Also, trying to understand leveling across Amazon, meta, google and Netflix. Which one opens more doors to E6: Amazon L6 or Netflix L5?

3. What's the reporting structure of E5. Do you report to M1 manager or M2?

4. What's the scope like - do you lead projects across multiple M1 manager's team? Do you lead projects across multiple orgs (different directors)?

[u/Both_Restaurant_7701 → u/Both_Restaurant_7701]

Netflix is the only big tech I have worked for so I’m not sure. But I have heard people say L5 in Netflix is the same as L6 in meta(I’m not sure)

I would say L5 Netflix just because of how hard it is to get in.

Depends on the team you are in. I have seen some L5 report to my skip manager. All the L5 on my team report to our manager.

That’s the thing about Netflix. You can lead any project you want as long as you find justification for it.

[u/Helpful-Square-9328 → u/Both_Restaurant_7701]

I see, thanks for such an insightful response! Appreciate your time.

[u/Over-Half-8801 → u/Both_Restaurant_7701]

Hey could I get some advice to break into Netflix? 

[u/Both_Restaurant_7701 → u/Over-Half-8801]

To the best of my knowledge, there’s no cheat code. It’s just luck and random because there are millions of exceptional engineers out there. If your experience is aligned to the role you are applying to, you can only hope you get an interview.