[strlen]

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]

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]

> 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]

+1. Try to figure out when your green card application will be filed. The earlier, the better.

[mulch]

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]

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.

[strlen]

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).

[Locke1689]

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]

What benefits were better? Google's benefits seem pretty generous to me.

[Locke1689]

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]

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