Title. I just recently entered a new role (at Uber) after 5 offers at unicorns/FAANG companies. Had an onsite with Google but ended up canceling it due to interview burn out. Google is still my dream goal, but I need to be strategic since I only get one chance every year. What’s the best way I can steadily prepare over the next 10-24 months? Continuous Leetcode would help, but I feel like I need a bit of a break after practicing for months. Perhaps I should methodically work through something like Algorithm Design Manual? I feel like a consistent exposure to complex but practical CS problems (and thoroughly understanding their popularized solutions) would be a good way to go, but what’s the best way to go about that? TC: 380k YoE: 6
Following.
Why is Google your dream goal? Don't get me wrong it's a great company but there are several out there that can provide you essentially the exact same experience if not better?
To be honest, self-validation is a big part of it. What are the others in your mind? FB and Netflix?
I see a lot of people compromising what they work on for where they work at. Really seems like this is missing the forest for the trees w.r.t. a fulfilling career. The company you work at can define your TC, but what you end up working on is what defines you as an engineer.
I have the same question: Google is a great place to be and don’t get me wrong on that. But you have good TC at Uber, which is a top place as well. So if you like the job at Uber, why not enjoy it for a while before thinking of switching.
That’s a fair point — I do like it thus far, and it seems like my work will be very impactful. That being said, we can all agree that shopping around every 2-3 years is in our best interest career-wise. Interviewing in this industry can be difficult, especially at top companies, and often times myself and others end up in what feels like a 1-2 month long, energy-draining “cram session” to become prepared. What I’m looking for are suggestions for the “continuous upkeep” of these skills and knowledge (i.e. clean your room 10 minutes everyday instead of multiple hours once a month). Things that allow me to dedicate the necessary energy towards succeeding in my new role, but also leave me relatively interview-ready in a moment’s notice.
I think eventually it makes sense to settle at a company and climb the ladder there. Too much hopping is exhausting and you need to build your network and reputation from scratch again. Ubers a great company; if I were you I'd forget about Google and focus on Uber.
380 TC @ 6 YOE. Why do you still dream G? Beat G, no need to join
This exactly lol. I have a colleague who got 260k TC L4 with 10 yoe. He decided to stay at chase lol
What is your level at Uber?
L5a.
My suggestion: focus on job performance and promos for a bit. You will need to be a solid 5b or even 6 to have a shot at Staff level at Google. You have made the "easy" moves already. Don't burn out on Leetcode now, focus on real skills for a bit, then do some LC, then try to move and uplevel in 2 years.
If you're in a good state now and want to keep it, just set a goal to do X questions every week, and stick to it. Treat it like going to the gym to stay fit. If you want to get better at it, get some books maybe, I don't know.
But at the same time, try to make the best out of the present time.
I am looking to do the same. Do you want to be an interview buddy? We can check on each other every weekend and mock interview with new qns to stay sharp. I have started doing this and have discovered few flaws in my interview approach. What say?
This more feels like seeking validation from others that Uber is ok compared to Google.
Trust me, dream job doesn't last forever and eventually you will get stuck and hate it. Keep hopping, and never meet your hero.
Unless you're gonna RIP soon. Take a break. You deserve it.
To answer your question, just give G a shot now. If you get the offer wait until an year to switch. If you fail, take 15-24 months to prepare, rejuvenate and retry.
Are you sure we can defer google offer for a year?