I was hired by a consulting company to work to a huge company in Atlanta as a contractor senior front-end developer. I've been here for a few months only and I'm becoming a dev lead very quickly in the project I'm working on. I've noticed that people here is not that technical as I expected. It's been always my dream to work at one of this big companies so I have major challenges and be around the best developers in the world. I keep learning new stuff everyday but I would like know advices from the people working there so I have a more specific preparation. The company that hired me promises me a green card into 3 years, so I want to use this time to get prepared as much as possible and be a valuable asset for one of this companies one the time comes. What topics or skills should I focus on in this three years in order to have better chances?
Go to Silicon Valley and try to interview with FANG and a few smaller startups. The greencard is great, Atlanta is not. Other companies can help you get that. Fortunately it is easy as a Mexican to switch employers. Even if you didn't get the job now, you can try again. 6-12 months later with more experience and confidence after having gone through their process once. Sadly, focusing on interviewing skills can be just as important as actual job skill. So spend sometime on leetcode while continuing to excel at your current job. Also OS involvement can help.
Thanks! I'll do that as soon as I have a chance!
Don’t worry about the green card — all big companies will also sponsor it for you. So if you’re reaching a wall in growth (technically), start applying before be 3 years — also you can interview with each company at least once a year. So you can practice without any fear ;) Leetcode is indeed good, but not everything given that you’re an industry hire. I’m also from Mexico and am happy to give more tips and put your resume in the system later on. Pm me if you want!
Awesome! Another thing is that I have a contract for two years, so I need to wait at least that time I guess, I'll pm you!
Are there contracts in US... surprised 😯
Having worked at 2 of big companies, I would say there is nothing special in here except for big money. There is tons of shitty work and shitty teams and you have a decent chance to land in one. Top teams have high competition for positions and only top people really get in those. If you are amongst them, sure you will enjoy here. Otherwise if you feel, all is good here then no. So I would advise to work at a place where you would enjoy work and get to work on interesting problems that you help you grow personally and professionally.
Trying to be part of those top guys is my personal motivation! I don't think I'm one of those right now. I appreciate your advice a lot!
I take it you work at Accenture in Atlanta. A lot of candidates I have talked to from there get pigeon holed in the work they do. Be careful on the projects you work on. Be sure to work on relevant projects that are scalable. If you can find ones that are mobile centric would be the best. Avoid CRM, salesforce or internal enterprise software projects.
Could you please elaborate on the last sentence? Why do we need to avoid CRM, salesforce or internal enterprise software projects? Thanks!
Because they will pigeon hole you into working on those things for the rest of your waking days
Pretty easy actually, via NAFTA.
Create a fake resume for your first phone screens.... practice
Make friends with employees that work there. You can be less smart if you are a referral. Find a googler that needs a friend. Buy them drinks. Support anything they say blindly.
I'd buy the beers but just for fun
I would too, but we are talking about exploiting a system
Make it clear on your resume that you are Mexican. Recruiters at all the major tech companies prioritize looking at diverse candidates.
Really? Sounds interesting, I'll take your advise
Interview practice.
Actually in the interviews for my current job y learnt a lot, sounds logical this suggestion. I just don't want to waste my opportunities.
Welcome, leetcode, good luck!
Next time don’t give up our secret so easily
Cool, thanks for that big secret!