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I'd like to push back gently on the notion that you have to work some kind of insane hours to reach the upper tiers of software engineer compensation. While get

I'd like to push back gently on the notion that you have to work some kind of insane hours to reach the upper tiers of software engineer compensation. While getting a job at the large "prestigious" companies is very competitive, once you get the job it doesn't take any particularly heroic effort to maintain it.

thechao 6y ago
My one great skill, so far, has been to wisely choose fantastic managers at random. I’d strongly suggest everyone randomly choose a series of great managers.
- bradlys 6y ago
  I'm not sure if this is a sarcastic remark but I don't think your past managers will dictate your entry into FAANG very much? A lot of it is based off of the technical interviews and less about if you know someone in the company. Admittedly, I know people who have gotten in almost purely off of their personal reputation/former managers.
  - thechao 6y ago
    My past manager moved to a FAANG, and had that FAANG recruit me nonstop for two years.
    - bradlys 6y ago
      Yeah - I've seen this second hand with Netflix and LinkedIn. From what I've seen of Facebook and Google - you can't bypass the interview evaluation process as easily as places like Netflix or LinkedIn. Did you end up joining the FAANG and were able to not get evaluated on interview performance much? Because - getting recruiter emails isn't really a signal of anything, IMO. (I presume everyone in the valley gets the usual 1-5 email recruiter emails everyday)
      - thechao 6y ago
        I ended up moving to the FAANG, the second time I interviewed; I was offered position(s) the first time, but declined. The second time I interviewed was with a group of engineers who were from a recently acquired startup. I am under no impression that'd I'd be hired now; the interview process is way more rigorous.
necubi 6y ago
Indeed. Big tech actually provides both more money and better work-life balance than your typical startup. I think the main tradeoff is that it's more "corporate," but that will depend in large part on your team.
- titanomachy 6y ago
  I agree. Being the tiniest cog in an enormous machine is not for everyone. It can be hard to find a sense of purpose.

thechao 6y ago

My one great skill, so far, has been to wisely choose fantastic managers at random. I’d strongly suggest everyone randomly choose a series of great managers.

bradlys 6y ago
I'm not sure if this is a sarcastic remark but I don't think your past managers will dictate your entry into FAANG very much? A lot of it is based off of the technical interviews and less about if you know someone in the company. Admittedly, I know people who have gotten in almost purely off of their personal reputation/former managers.
- thechao 6y ago
  My past manager moved to a FAANG, and had that FAANG recruit me nonstop for two years.
  - bradlys 6y ago
    Yeah - I've seen this second hand with Netflix and LinkedIn. From what I've seen of Facebook and Google - you can't bypass the interview evaluation process as easily as places like Netflix or LinkedIn. Did you end up joining the FAANG and were able to not get evaluated on interview performance much? Because - getting recruiter emails isn't really a signal of anything, IMO. (I presume everyone in the valley gets the usual 1-5 email recruiter emails everyday)
    - thechao 6y ago
      I ended up moving to the FAANG, the second time I interviewed; I was offered position(s) the first time, but declined. The second time I interviewed was with a group of engineers who were from a recently acquired startup. I am under no impression that'd I'd be hired now; the interview process is way more rigorous.

necubi 6y ago

Indeed. Big tech actually provides both more money and better work-life balance than your typical startup. I think the main tradeoff is that it's more "corporate," but that will depend in large part on your team.

titanomachy 6y ago
I agree. Being the tiniest cog in an enormous machine is not for everyone. It can be hard to find a sense of purpose.