One thing I don't see mentioned in your post or the replies is geographic location. I'm a software engineer living in a relatively low COL state. My pay isn't t

One thing I don't see mentioned in your post or the replies is geographic location. I'm a software engineer living in a relatively low COL state. My pay isn't the greatest so I talk to the FANG recruiters when they contact me. They seem to be aware that not all of us can move to the Bay Area at the drop of a hat so they tell me that I can have my pick of city (usually Seattle/Austin/Atlanta) Agreed with others that network can be pretty key. Even for acquaintances I've recruited to my current company (3 so far), our company was not in their radar but they were immediately willing to try it out since I gave them my recommendation (and all of us remain here)