I got two job offers in Dublin and really need some help deciding. One is from Google as SWE2 and the other is HubSpot as SDE1. Both companies want me in the office 3 days per week.
Google is offering slightly higher salary but HubSpot has much better perks and benefits package. I care more about career development, good mentors, and having decent work-life balance than just money.
Here are my main concerns:
- The HubSpot manager would not be technical which worries me about getting proper guidance
- HubSpot work matches what I did during my internship so I know the field well
- Google would be completely different area for me with tough learning curve but I do know some of their tech tools
This makes me wonder about something bigger - should someone early in their career stay in familiar areas or jump into unknown territory when you get a good chance?
Anyone here worked at these places or have thoughts on this choice?
I’ve been in a similar spot - choosing between staying comfortable and jumping into something new. Go with Google. They’re bringing you in as SWE2, which means they already see your growth potential. That matters early in your career. Sure, HubSpot’s non-technical manager is a red flag, but Google’s got mentorship everywhere if you look for it. The learning curve will be brutal, but they’ve got the resources to help you through it. Staying comfortable sounds nice now, but you’ll probably kick yourself in a few years for missing out on everything you’d learn at Google. Plus that salary bump compounds over time and boosts your market value. Both are decent options, but Google’s your better long-term play.
Honestly, I’d go with HubSpot. Google’s great for the resume, but if HubSpot has better work-life balance and you already know the space, you’ll be way more productive from day one. Those perks add up too - better healthcare, more vacation, stock options. The non-technical manager sucks, but you can find mentors at Dublin tech meetups or online. Don’t underestimate how much easier it’ll be to hit the ground running vs. struggling through a brutal learning curve.
I’ve worked at both types of companies, and honestly? Focus on team dynamics over brand name. That non-technical manager at HubSpot is a red flag for someone at your level. You need technical mentorship early - it shapes how you solve problems for years. At Google, even with an imperfect manager, you’ll pick up best practices through code reviews and design talks. The unfamiliar domain might actually help you. Learning new systems forces you to become a better problem-solver instead of staying comfortable. HubSpot’s perks look nice, but ask yourself: which role makes you a way better engineer in two years? Google will probably open more doors later, even if the package looks worse right now.
I switched from a cushy job to Google early in my career, so here’s my take: it comes down to how much risk you can handle right now. You’re right to worry about mentorship at HubSpot, but Google’s mentorship isn’t automatic either. You’ve got to chase it down, and it’s easy to get lost in such a massive company if you don’t speak up. Here’s what caught my attention - you said you care more about growth than money, but you’re still thinking about that higher Google salary. Sounds like you’re already leaning toward jumping ship. The learning curve will kick your ass, but Google’s internal docs and resources are incredible once you figure out how to use them. Can you handle feeling like you’re drowning for six months while picking up new skills? If yes, the long-term benefits usually pay off. Just make sure you’ve got enough savings so you’re not stressed about money on top of everything else.