Getting into FAANG isn't like getting into college.
Every other post here is about "getting into FAANG" and "how's my offer"? Guess what? It's not like getting into college and comparing financial aid packages.
Every company has it's strengths and weaknesses. Some pay less, but that's often balanced by being family friendly, more secure, less demanding, or having better career growth opportunities. A strong title at a high growth company is a ticket to an easy retirement life at a big company later.
Maybe it's prestige and being the only one in your friend group working for Google? Every cool, high growth tech company will eventually become less cool and slower moving over time as they get bigger and get challenged by upstarts. Longtimers have schedules, kids, and get used to doing the same thing every day for years and years.
So my message is if you despair that you didn't "get into" FANG, then that's ok. There are opportunities out there that fit everyone. Be smart about companies that have bright futures and you can grow your career and still make the TC thresholds to make your friends jealous and your mom proud.
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The problem boils down to mindset and persistence.
With the leverage that faang gives, you can go into a more relaxed company at a much higher level and earn more through out your career.
But I do agree that we have a market where many companies pay comparably to faang and employees are a lot a place where they can choose a company that aligns with their beliefs. Hard to say this about other engineering fields.
Faang pays more than most other companies. If your goal is to maximize your income you should absolutely keep trying. Feeling bad about yourself (because you did t get your job or got fat) can be a powerful driving force.
That said faang is not for everyone. Some people thrive in small companies. Pick your battles.