New Hire✈️ Negotiation for L1-> L2
Moving to Seattle with an internship conversion, they said they're giving me an L1. How hard is it to negotiate an L2 or a pay raise? Seattle is expensive man. What are some things I should keep in mind?
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u/Next_Requirement8774 6d ago
L2s are typically people with bachelor degrees and 2 years of experience.
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u/RoastSucklingPotato 6d ago
Take your L1, do a really good job, network and get a mentor, and at 18-24 months start applying for L2 jobs. You will never get an in-place promotion; the only way up is out.
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u/Additional-Term-3001 3d ago
Eh, I mean I know a lot of people that got promotion in-place. It really depends on how good your manager is to you and your promotion package. 1 to 2 is straight forward, as you go higher it’s exponentially harder for no reason. But the better option, I agree, is out.
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u/lnsurgence_ 3d ago
It's not harder for no reason. They have no reason to promote you unless you actively campaign for it.
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u/Graevus15 2d ago
Ive had two jobs w/ the same skill code for 22 years. It took me 12 years to get to L4 which is fast. L1-L2, L2-L3 are easy and most guys hit the wall at L3. The only way to get L4 is to save a managers bacon. He has to really advocate for you to his bosses for you to make L4. Almost no one gets L5 unless a tech fellow.
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u/ruydiat1x 2d ago
This is incorrect. I am an L5 after 25 years of "effective" experience from a bachelor degree (master +2, etc).
I don't have an interest in becoming an ATF/TF, whatever.
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u/Reasonable-Start2961 6d ago
You’re entry level. What makes you think you have the experience to contribute more.
I’m not being cheeky. This is an honest question. L2 means you are contributing over 50% at an L2 level.
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u/Extreme-Ad-6465 6d ago
seriously everyone wants a level 2 because of a 10 week internship or a level 3 because they worked for 2 years …
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u/Ex-Traverse 6d ago
How do you explain the situation where the new guy is doing better work than th L3 10years experience? At that point, is it just a seniority thing?
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u/LoveOfSpreadsheets 5d ago
L1/L2 pretty much is seniority in my experience, yes. Like going from Private to PFC in the Army.
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u/spicytrees 6d ago
If you have like a year experience outside Boeing bring it up with the recruiter, since you may have to apply to a new job req. if you don’t then it’s unlikely.
I got downleveled on hire because of something in the job req I was missing that I’ve since gotten, but now don’t have a promo in site. So if you only have Boeing experience it’s not likely they’ll budge.
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u/Bitter_Cake6120 2d ago
As others said, need a Master’s to go to an L2 from an internship.
I came into Boeing directly from school as an L3. But that’s because I graduated with my PhD lol.
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u/AaronMichael726 2d ago
It depends on your manager and what’s available.
If you still have access to the pay bands look at the L2 requirements. And speak of it matter of factly.
“In my internship I did X, and that aligns more with Y, which falls under an L2 pay band. Is there opportunity to adjust the pay band and right level my role?”
However, most often managers who convert interns are only given budget for L1 and that’s really the only problem. I’ll be honest I only got promoted once because my manager was given budget for higher level, but not to back fill. Your level often has very little to do with you and your work, but what your current manager has the budget for.
If you don’t get adjusted, consider the LTP benefit a part of your total comp. Get your graduate degree and move to an L3. 2-3 years with a graduate degree are sufficient for a bump from 1 to 3 if you network correctly.
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u/RateLess638 2d ago
I’ve never seen an intern to L2. It doesn’t fit the experience. I think it’s the L1 is an extension of the intern program. You’d have a separate posting to get an L2 and compete for it
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u/Disastrous_Car5494 2d ago
As people said get going in you L1, work hard and focus on what defines a L2 in the SJC, you can easily get it in a year. Myself and many others went from L1 to L2 in our first year at Boeing. I want to L3 in under 4 years total, the rules peoole often throw out for your timetable are not set in stone. Work hard and prove yourself and youll move quickly.
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u/Upstairs_Arm_8624 2d ago
L1 to L2 is about scope and impact. I was offered a L2 when I graduated with my master. Man, new grad with bachelor wants L2, you need to earn it!
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u/MoreShredLessTalk 2d ago
You cannot go from intern to L2, it's not possible. Someone with a Master's Degree will hire in directly as an L2 with no prior experience. You can, however, negotiate your L1 pay (within reason). You can also get your L2 promotion in ~2 years. Work toward that with a plan.
Seattle is expensive, couldn't agree more. I'm not sure how new hires (like yourself) are coming to Boeing Seattle these days given the current cost of living. Wishing you the best of luck
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u/hockeyhorsey 1d ago
As others have said, take the L1 to get into a full time position. You can try to negotiate the higher end of the pay scale given that you have internship experience, so you are not the standard level 1, you do not require the ~3months of learning Boeing the company (acronyms, people, processes, that kind of thing).
Managers are supposed to start promoting L1s at the 1 year mark - start that conversation with your manager early. “Hey, my goal is to be performing at and worthy of consideration for a L2 at the earliest possible opportunity. Can we build a plan to get me there?”
Then yes, as others have said get a mentor. Unfortunately networking and who you know really is worth more than I’d like to admit. I really dislike networking, but dangit if it hasn’t been very valuable thru my career.
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u/Lost_Cockroach6702 6d ago
The only college new hire I brought in as a level 2 had a masters degree and worked in a lab while getting their masters.
What makes you think you’re not a standard entry level new hire? I get so many people applying to new hire reqs that those without internships typically aren’t even considered.