Weighing options: gTech offer at Google with other offers within consulting

Anonymous

September 25,2022 at 4:42PM UTC

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Weighting options: gTech offer at Google with other offers within consulting

I recently passed through the interview phases for a solutions consultant positions at gTech and am in the "matching" phase where they socialize your skills among various product teams. I would be an L5 and it would be a great bump in pay not to mention the Google benefits (I've been advised to ask for $170-180 Base and would be $250-300 TC with bonus and equity). However, there is no telling how long the matching phase will be.

I also have similar base comp offers (probably around $160-170 base) from Deloitte and a smaller consulting firm. Deloitte also offers great benefits, but would be taking my career in a different direction (operations, STEM philanthropic program management) and working with a small team. The projects sound empowering and I would also be giving back to the community on a national level, which is exciting. However, the team is only 3 people right now. The smaller consulting firm focusses on life sciences consulting and, again, similar comp but prob not the benefits Deloitte or Google offer, but is a promotion and I've heard you can be quickly promoted internally.

I started this process back in April-May and everything is just coming to realization now. On top of making decisions, I am also 5 months pregnant and due at the end of January.

I'd like to stay with thee next company for the long term.

Any advice on the above options in which I should take? Any thoughts on how each company (at least Deloitte and Google) would feel about maternity leave so soon after beginning? Also, thinking about job security of course.

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Kristie WhiteSeptember 25,2022 at 5:27PM UTC
Oh what a terrible problem to have!
Congratulations:) First, being pregnant. I don't know if you are showing so I don't know if you have been fully transparent with your employers or not. There is definitely a waiting period in order for you to be eligible for Federal protection under FMLA (1,000 hours), so you will likely not be eligible for FMLA with a new employer until the May/June timeframe. Depending on where you reside, your state may provide state benefits that provide some protection. For example, California and Oregon both have state mandated programs and you should investigate waiting periods, benefits, program requirements for your state. Any benefits that you might be eligible for such as short term disability may also have an eligibility period - so you may not have compensation coming from there either. All of these questions should be answered before you make a decision and I suspect these companies will work with you.
However, a bigger consideration is the work/life balance you will require when you move into consulting. I'm not sure how the job with Google will be constructed. But consulting can be heavy hours and may be heavy travel (not sure since the pandemic.) Having a small child will be challenging - do you want to hire a nanny? What if you are on the road 4 days a week (used to be standard.) So you need to consider that as well.
Not sure how the consulting would be structured at the smaller company, but they may be more family friendly. But you need to check their benefits as well. Of course, you might also have enough in savings that it doesn't matter. But since you probably won't be covered by FMLA, no company is required to give you the same job upon your return from maternity leave - only a similar equitable job.
As for the value of each of these positions - you have to consider what you want long term if staying put is your goal. Do you thrive in constant demand, stress and change - go consulting. Do you need/want something that is calmer with a more intimate team that provides value in more than finances - I go with Deloitte or the smaller firm. Finally, I think you should expect high demand/pressure at Deloitte and Google and realize that you will be a small cog in a big machine. But that may work for you based on the job. The smaller firm provides more responsibility, more growth and is in a growing industry.
So gather as much data as you can about all three options and do a pros and cons list. Good luck and count your blessings!
AnonymousSeptember 25,2022 at 5:53PM UTC
Hi
AnonymousSeptember 25,2022 at 7:47PM UTC
Thank you so so much for your informative and helpful reply! I feel very fortunate to have options albeit not the best timing...
I am in consulting now with a smaller firm and have focussed primarily on healthcare and life sciences. What you listed above is a lot of what I am thinking through. I have done a fair amount of research on Google and it sounds like it really depends on what team you are with in terms of W/L balance, but overall they value well-being. Deloitte, I am trying to understand realistically how much travel and hours it will be. It is building a program, but is also not on their traditional offerings side, so I am hoping the grind may be different. The smaller firm would definitely offer faster growth and, like you said, is in a growing field.
Much to think about! Thank you again!
Julie HumbirdSeptember 26,2022 at 5:29PM UTC
I would choose Google based on the feedback of my friends at Deloitte on their travel requirements.