FAQ

Is a Google L6 promotion worth more than an Apple ICT5?
The judgment is that Apple ICT5 provides higher base salary and sign‑on, but Google L6’s faster equity refresh can surpass Apple’s total compensation after 2 years if the employee stays on a high‑growth product.

Can I skip the cross‑product impact narrative for Google?
No. The debrief from Q3 2023 showed a candidate who omitted cross‑team impact was rejected 4‑1 even though his feature shipped on time; the panel explicitly demanded “evidence of influencing ≥ 3 other teams.”

Will Apple’s longer timeline hurt my career progression?
Not necessarily. The longer 60‑day cycle includes a board‑level review that often yields a higher “Strategic Impact” score, which can accelerate future promotions if you leverage the feedback.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWJQ2S3).