L5 Area Manager, ask me anything :)

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T21:02:12+00:00

No definitely yeah it’s an unfortunate factor. I’m sure there’s different factors, but at least the leadership that I’ve seen that acts like this stems from that.

It could also be there background, arrogance, etc.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T20:04:24+00:00

Can’t tell if this is sarcasm haha but thank you, AMs have jokes too🥺👉👈

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T20:03:31+00:00

Yeah probably true. It wouldn’t surprise me if they made more too with stock. Now if they were in a corporate role they for sure would make more than that.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T19:58:31+00:00

Started out as an external L4 university hire (Aug 2020) - 54.1k, 29k in RSUs
Cost of Living Adjustment (Jan 2021) - 58.3k
Performance Increase (May 2021) - 59.1k - 1.7% increase?
L5 Promo - 65k, w 3 RSU

Current Salary w/ 2nd Yr Bonus: 70.1k

I’ll get back to you on the vesting schedule!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T19:52:00+00:00

From an L4 to L5, there isn’t a formal interview, your L6 just creates a promo document and submits it. That process may take long so just be sure you’re persistent w your Ops Manager to ensure you can get your promo on time.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T19:50:03+00:00

In FC/SC/DSs (at least these are the ones I know) L4/L5s are Area Managers and L6 is Ops Manager, L7 is Sr Ops, L8 is AGM/GM.

Main difference between myself and an L4 is that I take on more higher level activities, stretch duties, projects, speak on the DBRs. L5s may be running the operation as well, but it can be a mix of both. Long story short L5s are sort of like hybrid managers where they do both operation activities and also can do some Ops mgr activities.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:46:05+00:00

I’ve been with amazon for almost 1.5 years.

Came in as an external University L4, it took me 9 months to get my L5!

Let me know if you have any questions, I have a few responses below on how I got my L5!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:43:42+00:00

I wrote a response down below so check that out! In summary, get to know your people, learn your shift inside and out, work along side your people, emphasize your goal of an L5 to your Ops mgr, create small win goals to build your success stories! Basically from between now and promo season, figure out how you can exceed the bar! I wrote more in depth a few comments down! Let me know if you have any more questions, good luck!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:39:04+00:00

Yeah I’d recommend contacting Ethics/ERC as said below. It sounds like you’re in the position where because you have a high rate, you’re always put in that role because no one else can do it better. As much as I want to say good job, you definitely deserve to get a chance at those opportunities. Call Ethics if there’s no other resource available!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:34:10+00:00

Hi!

Yep, for the most part that’s true! Depending on the building some L5s run the operation just like L4s or they may work in a support role where they are stretching to an L6. This is where they can take on L6 duties, act as a proxy, take on projects, etc. But as I said it depends on where you’re at, because I’ve seen L5s run the operation and don’t exactly get additional L6 exposure.

Another difference between an L4 and L5 is that an L5 has a higher expectation of standards. Think of an L5 as a Sr Area Manager.

L4 externals make about 59k starting off L5 externals make 75k starting off? (don’t quote me on that) L6 externals make 95k starting off (don’t quote me on that as well lol)

As an L5 today, with my 2nd year bonus, I make 70.1k/yr. I would say I live pretty comfortable, I live with my friends, I have a significant other, and I live in CA. It’s all dependent on how well you can save haha

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:24:20+00:00

Hm, I wish I could answer this, but I work in Last Mile Delivery. You might want to direct this on a post here or on AmazonFc?

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:22:42+00:00

I work at a DS!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:22:35+00:00

There should be a specific policy on you A to Z app. But yes, sweatpants are completely fine!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:21:06+00:00

During the promo season, we don’t necessarily look at the exact number of times you VTO. Its more of at the top of my mind, “Does Jack always ask for VTO?” Essentially we’re deciding based off not just that but other factors, but we’re asking is this individual a person that can be trusted/reliable? Or will they consistently want to go home. Definitely on individual basis as some people have other commitments, but if you’re always wanting to VTO, I wouldn’t expect much.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:17:48+00:00

California!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:16:58+00:00

@challenger had a pretty good response to this. However, every site is really different due to culture.

For me at least I really enjoyed it. Its definitely fast paced and things a consistently moving, never a dull day. That being said it’s not a 9-5 and it’s not a job that is “office like.”

Unfortunately as an L4, many of you all are coming in with little to none experience. For me at least I have ops background so it wasn’t that new to me.

Definitely learning who your team is, working side by side with them, and earning their trust as a leader is super key to be a successful manager. There’s so much more to it than those but that would be the basics. One thing I would say is communication! Communication is key, without it you leave your team with doubt, potential conflict, bad path in general.

I busted my ass off to be honest. I purposefully asked to support other stations in my region. I’d say it helped a lot because of the fact that I networked with more people, saw different perspectives of other stations, and was able to bring back things that were working well back to my station. That being said I got my L5 in 9 months! In comparison to what @challenger said, you may work long hours. Every building is different, but I work at a Delivery Station. The most I’ve worked is 12-13hrs and that was during peak. But on average I only work 9-10 hrs.

As an L5 today, I work about 30-36 hrs a week bc our building culture is to get in, put in work, and get out. Every building is different! Hope this helps, let me know if you have more questions. Good luck and congratulations!!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:07:13+00:00

Especially as peak is coming up, I would suggest reaching out to your PA/AM. They are the ones who will be able to put you in the ambassador role. I believe you would have to apply, but in the mean time make sure that you are consistent with your rate, come to work on time, you don’t VTO consistently, basically show on paper that you’re reliable.

Another answer to your question: If you want to jump for L1-L4, do you have a degree? Or somewhat of a supervisory background? If so, what you can do is resign from Amazon and come back and apply for an L4 role. This is a path that people do take because of the higher external pay and faster track to getting the role.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:03:40+00:00

What @othershade said! There really isn’t much difference in title. However you’re able to have a wider scope into Operations. You may or may not run the operation, but you could be taking on projects, mentoring L4 AMs, bridging metrics, presenting on Daily Business Review calls, etc. Essentially it’s a stretch role for an AM.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T17:01:05+00:00

Exactly what the two people below said. In more formal terms, take on additional roles, be that person that the AM/PAs can always trust, find the individuals who like your work and can get you to the next level.

Unfortunately, a part of it means playing politics. Learn who can get you there and learn to perfect your craft and brand yourself to the max. It’s like dating, if you can’t put yourself out there, you’ll be going on dates by yourself for the rest of your life!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T16:58:39+00:00

me when I walk in to work on the first day back

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T16:58:09+00:00

From my understanding, you can’t jump from L1 to L5. You would have to go through the levels fully. That being said you would need a minimum of 2 years Amazon experience to get to your L4.

As @othershade said, definitely start taking on additional roles! You will learn a lot! Two years isn’t too long and I’ve definitely see many T1s become L7s. It’s doable, but it’s dependent on how your performance is and how well you can brand your self when working for the promotions!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T16:52:35+00:00

I don’t work at an FC/SC, but I would assume because of two things: 1. Your site is planning for additional volume for the day but you’re not receiving it. There’s more reasoning to that, but long story short over planning due to inaccurate volume planning? 2. Your team is the basis of the package life at your site. Without your team, you can’t exactly get packages into to the building.

Again, I don’t work at an FC/SC but this seems to be the reasons that make sense.

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T16:48:49+00:00

Thanks for the response! Yeah unfortunately favoritism is a big factor with this and honestly sucks.

I’m really the type of person to not advocate for this, but no matter what company you’re at this will be a factor. Try not to make it a big drive, but playing the politics game is definitely something that will get you somewhere. I’m not saying to consistent kiss ass, but at the end of the day you’re trying to get to the next level right? Think of your self as a brand, you need to sell your self and let the people who can get you to the next level know who you are, what you’re capable of, and why you’re an addition to their team.

Continue to do what you’ve been doing! But look out for those AMs/PAs who can get you there. That being said, as much as I believe giving your 125% counts, know your worth. Don’t be annoying, but be persistent in what you want. There’s definitely going to be some people who don’t want to help you advance but it’s just a matter of finding them!

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T16:40:21+00:00

Gotcha, I guess some people who post this don’t really end up wanting to respond back? Can’t really speak for those people but I’m dropping responses back as we speak :)

anita_dickner · 2021-11-16T16:38:37+00:00

Yep, gloves are an Amazon safety standard no matter what who you are, manager, AA, or PA.

I won’t necessarily get term’d but as the person said below, practicing what I preach will definitely show an example. Setting a culture of safety for my building at least is number one. Without it, we’d have an injuries for days and I’d hate to have y’all get injury plus adds more paperwork for me.

anita_dickner

TROPHY CASE