4 ms·
A couple of years ago I was in your position. I went through the whole process with Google and Amazon, just to get rejected at the end. I prepared by cramming
by angarg12 9y ago
A couple of years ago I was in your position.
I went through the whole process with Google and Amazon, just to get rejected at the end. I prepared by cramming Cracking the code interview in 2 weeks and reading classic algorithms books; it wasn't enough to meet the bar (anecdotally I remember Google being much harder than Amazon).
Fast forward another couple of years and I got contacted by Microsoft and Amazon recruiters, went through and got offers from both companies. Recently I also got approached by a Google recruiter but I politely declined since I recently started a new position.
What changed in those couple of years?
This time around I prepared by solving problems in leetcode and other platforms a longer time. For about 2 months I spent almost all my free time writing code out of the office.
But that's only half of the story. I noticed that as you apply to more senior roles, the interviews focus more on behaviour and experience rather than hardcore programming. I would say that the weight of these factors was between 2x and 2.5x this time around.
Finally, I myself changed during that time. I adopted an 'abundance mindset', where opportunities are plentiful instead of single chances that we can't let get away. Now I see interviews as two way streets where companies need you as much as you need them. Lastly, when I go to an interview I don't see it as 'I practiced x days for this interview', but as 'I have 10 years professional experience, if that didn't prepared me for this job, no amount of cramming in a few days will'. That doesn't even touch the
So my advice is to just relax, do your best and don't get discourage if you are rejected. If your goal is to break in one of the big 4, continue accruing experience and improving yourself and try next time, it will just get better.
P.S.: In my comment I don't mention luck, but personally I think that it also plays a huge role in getting a job. One time recruiters from a company got in touch with me; two years later they wouldn't even read my CV for the same position. Get to the right position at the right time, and the right set of people can be the difference between an offer or none. It's hard to come to terms with the idea than something other than yourself can dictate your future, but the sooner you do it, it will save you a lot of grief.
- creek567 9y agoRight yeah, I see this preparation as longer term and not something I can do in 2 weeks. Since I already have a job I enjoy, I'm not in a time or cash crunch so I can take my time. I hope that it takes me 3~4 months to be prepared, but I guess I never plan on stopping practicing (doing LeetCode questions for example). I realize that interviewing is a skill that needs to be kept sharp throughout ones career, so even if I get rejected on the first try, I'll keep practicing and keep applying! Thanks for the advice!
- pmulv 9y agoIf you don't mind me asking, if you already have a job you enjoy, what's driving you to the FAANG companies? I know there are a ton of valid answers to this question but I'm curious anyway!
- creek567 9y agoDon't mind it at all. I work remotely so I really enjoy my current job, but this is why I'm thinking about going for FAANG: 1) My current company is a startup so things can go sour rather quickly. I want to keep my interviewing skills sharp in case I need to switch jobs. 2) FAANG is great for a career advancement. I'll learn a ton working for the best tech companies in the world and working with extremely smart people. Interesting technical problems and also upwards mobility later on. Also applying to any other job after that will be much easier as smaller companies don't screen nearly as hard as the big ones for their software positions. 3) Great for networking. You meet tons of other smart people who know tons of other smart people. In the Bay Area when you say you've worked for Google doors open much easier and you gain other people's respect much faster. 4) Lastly, FAANG companies will pay more than what I'm currently making.