Tech IndustryJun 6, 2019
Microsoftuserg7

After 10 years, is it worth joining Google SWE?

Hi, I have switched 6 companies in the last 10 years. Stayed 3 years in company A building win/mac desktop apps in C++ and web UI in JS. Currently with Microsoft Azure for 2 years as SDE2 (L62) building a cloud service. Didn't do useful work in rest of my 5 years which I spent on 4 companies - Out of which I worked on 2 startups that failed and I didn't learn much. I feel I have wasted my 10 years of career and is only worth as 5 yoe. I can practice leetcode for DS/Algo questions. Not much confident about system design. At this stage, do you think it is worth to apply for Google SWE roll? Or do you think it is too late because promotions are hard and I'm better off at other companies. PS: I am 30 years of age now.

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Oracle Ora0 Jun 6, 2019

Why not?

Google YTpM41 Jun 6, 2019

I think switching is fine and a nice resume booster. But is it that hard to make progress at Azure? It's got a similar reputation and could give you some longevity in a role.

Microsoft userg7 OP Jun 6, 2019

It is not hard in Azure. I can continue here. But it doesn't pay much. I want to make more money. But feel less confident if I could survive in Google for 4+ years.

Google YTpM41 Jun 6, 2019

I mean if you make it in, it's a piece of cake to survive. Thriving, on the other hand, is a crap shoot. You could coast for 4 years and get meets/exceeds and not promoted. Happens all the time. Its a very nice life, but not dramatically different than msft.

Google nrvD43 Jun 6, 2019

You can still join as L4 with 10 YOE. But you should definitely shoot for L5 and see what happens - you may feel like you wasted 5 years but it may not be true. Impostor syndrome is super prevalent in the industry anyways. Also, doesn't really hurt to try. At worst you get a bit better with DS&A.

Microsoft userg7 OP Jun 6, 2019

Thanks. This helps. What will be the level of difficulty in L5? Is it just tougher DS/A or more of design?

Google FXcI12 Jun 6, 2019

Nobody knows, interview questions are completely random and not a good indicator of how good you're as an engineer

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theonlyan Jun 6, 2019

Seriously, who is the fucktard who voted that being 30 is too old to join a new company?

Microsoft userg7 OP Jun 6, 2019

Maybe those who could't get to Google after 10 years?

JOANY e^(iπ)+1=0 Jun 6, 2019

I'm 30 and accepting an offer as an IC at Google. It's pretty unsatisfying for me, to come in at L4 with 8 years of experience and 2 years of management and 1 year as a director. But, whatever. I do want to work at a company that values it's human capital for once, even if in the scheme of things I'll be an insignificant cog in a well-oiled machine.

Microsoft tarasenko Jun 6, 2019

You didn't waste 10 years, only 5 years according to your own math

Apple xUEdsjT Jun 6, 2019

Get more experience, maybe promote to L63, practice system design and LC and go for L5. Of course you can try now (specify to recruiter you want to join as L5) and try again in a year or two. At this point I think it's not worth it to join as L4.

JOANY e^(iπ)+1=0 Jun 6, 2019

You should not be worried about System Design. It's much easier to study for. And the interviewers are more experienced, so the role of luck is much lower. Algorithms questions cover a very broad range of topics, are mostly irrelevant to your day-to-day work, and the interviewers aren't very experienced or trained and regularly make "strong hire" or "no hire" decisions for irrational reasons. On Blind, people make it seem like you need to solve EVERY algorithm question perfectly -- ideal time & space complexity. In my Google interview, I did solve every question, but I didn't solve a single question in both ideal time & space complexity. I still got an offer. It's completely luck.

Juniper Pliny Jr Jun 6, 2019

Join Pornhub instead. You'll be happier. We're hiring BTW.... 👍