How do I enter this magical land?

New
Spacebot

New

Spacebot
May 24, 2021 24 Comments

YE: 20+
TC: ~120k
Age: 44

I live in the middle of nowhere rural. I've done everything from satellite communication, firmware, robotics, 6 axis CNC/PLC, 3d printing, CTO, front end, back end, mobile, web, VR, etc but always for local companies and just referrals and never much Money, but better than average for my area.

I stumbled on a local guy who visited from Bay Area and told me the crazy salaries. I've been reading here and it doesn't seem real. I fixed up my resume and after 4 rounds of interviews have a standing L6 full day interview with Google but I'm afraid to pull the trigger on it. They're talking about 4x my typical salary minimum. Even L2 Guys make more than I do and L7 is possible but unlikely if I do well.

I've never heard of leetcode or any of this stuff. I just been building electronics and software since I was 12. I have no formal training but a few decades of experience.

I have kids in high school so I can't move for another year or two with custody issues..., but I haven't been in computer science classes for 20+ years, no degree. Is it actually possible for me to earn these crazy salaries or is there ageism going on?

Where do I begin?

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TOP 24 Comments
  • Update the post when you do get it OP. Would love to see you get in! My best wishes are with you.
    May 24, 2021 0
  • If you’ve never heard of leetcode you’ll likely fail the algorithms portion of the interview. I would master at least leetcode easy/mediums.

    You should also brush up on systems design/architecture and behavioral portions as well.

    There’s no ageism for FAANG unless you’re trying to apply for L3 or L4 with tons of years of experience, in which case it’s really your high YOE rather than age.

    After you practice and confident you can pass, I’d say go for it.
    May 24, 2021 2
    • New
      Spacebot

      New

      Spacebot
      OP
      So leetcode is for algorithm... What's the equivalent for systems?

      Not worried about behavioral or public speaking, I train people for startup porch competitions and teach at the local college occasionally so I communicate well enough.

      Is there standard for behavioral stuff too? Or do you mean just not being a boring person kinda thing?
      May 24, 2021
    • Grokking the System Design Interview is a good one.

      If you think behavioral is just a personality test, you will likely fail or be downleveled significantly. It’s about them gauging your competency on previous projects/situations, I recommend practicing it.
      May 24, 2021
  • Apple
    Hiwb0

    Go to company page Apple

    Hiwb0
    But 120k is middle of nowhere is like x4 your salary in the Bay Area. Bay are has high salaries because everything is x4 the prices compared to other cities
    May 24, 2021 4
    • I’ve worked pretty good hours all throughout my career in the Bay Area, don’t think Midwest would be much better
      May 24, 2021
    • I live in a low COL area and people who previously worked in California, Seattle, or New York move here all the time and but nice houses with cash offers. Makes sense to work on the coasts for a while. Even though COL is higher if you’re making 300k+ you can still save a lot more than someone making 130k in Ohio or wherever
      May 24, 2021
  • Google
    mooncalf2

    Go to company page Google

    mooncalf2
    I was hired as an L3 past the age of 40 (career changer), and in my almost 3 years at the company have faced no ageism, earned a promotion, and have really good trajectory to get to senior soon. If you're interviewing for a swe role, you'll probably want to study leetcode and more importantly even for L6, you'll probably want to prep for distributed system design. Designing data intensive applications published by O'Reilly is a good resource. The crazy salaries are real fwiw, though the bay area is expensive, especially for housing.
    May 24, 2021 2
    • New
      Spacebot

      New

      Spacebot
      OP
      They have a Chicago office and ideally I would be able to go there. I visit occasionally anyway so that's what I'm shooting for.
      May 24, 2021
    • Small office in Chicago. Not much opportunity there. Might not be good for career at the company.
      May 24, 2021
  • Google
    snow_snow

    Go to company page Google

    snow_snow
    TBH I think youre doing fine and that getting in wouldnt neccisarily make your life better. Google offices are in very HCOL areas, with your income in the middle of nowhere you can live like a king. Also, Google has a lot of competition for cool work, wheras you probably dont experience a ton of competition for those interesting projects. Most Googlers work on pretty boring stuff.
    May 25, 2021 1