Interview Kickstart Experiences? Scam?

Has anyone here gone through the Interview Kickstart program? In researching online it seems the next two cohorts are full and they have been around since 2014. You would think, given the type of people that would go through this program and it's supposed popularity, that alumni would have written about their experiences online. However, looking through Quora, Google, yelp, coursereports, etc there is barely any feedback from people who have gone through the program. The little feedback you do find, are all from the same small (3-4) group of people. This is a red flag to me. Has anyone here gone through this program or know anyone that has? If so, I would love to hear about the experience. I am also considering Outco. Outco doesn't seem as extensive but their website is more professional, and they have more reviews

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Microsoft Scath Aug 22, 2017

Leetcode all the way. Anything else will teach you the same thing. That said, I wouldn't mind doing some mock interviews with them. You could get good feedbacks.

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ᕕ( ᐕ )ᕗ Aug 22, 2017

I can vouch for Outco teaching you the things that leetcode won't (the non technical aspects). Outco is surprisingly self aware about what they're doing, and I'm a big fan because of it. The feedback loop with Outco is the most valuable part I got out of it. 1 on 1 practice is super valuable and rarely will you get something like that. As with literally anything in life, it's what you make out of it and nothing is a magic bullet.

OSIsoft xorM36 OP Aug 22, 2017

What do you mean by Outco being self aware?

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ᕕ( ᐕ )ᕗ Aug 22, 2017

It's hard to explain as a lot of it isn't tangible, and people write it off as "fufu", "lack of substance", "emotional bullshit". The irony is that may be the most important part, and the engineers that ignore are likely the self-absorbed asshole archetype we all love to hate. I think IK is good, but it's not like what they teach doesn't exist out there on the internet. I'm probably gonna be shat on for being "unable to quantify this" and judgements subsequently made on my abilities as an engineer, but I'm realizing that's what holds them back as an engineer. If you like, I'm open to continue this over PM's.

Oracle bYBVg65 Aug 22, 2017

IK is a great program but still requires lots of efford from your side. You will have 15 mock interviews with people from top companies with detailed feedback. They offer 6 months of support time after program is finished (daily web meetings with person who helps you solving code problems, sessions about interview process, resume, behavior questions, negotiation etc). I highly recommend IK, but keep in mind that usually full process takes more than 8 weeks, most likely 3-4 months.

OSIsoft xorM36 OP Aug 22, 2017

Oracle, I've noticed you respond to several forums regarding IK. Are you affiliated with the program?

Oracle bYBVg65 Aug 22, 2017

You are right, I respond to another thread about IK few weeks back. I was sceptical about this program before joining and couldn't find enough feedback online. I was mostly afraid that other people in batch have zero knowledge about CS and we will discuss some basic things like BFS and DFS and couldn't find anything about difficulty level. Eventually had brief call with founder and joined. My batch is finished already but i am still completing my mocks, so can't share acual results.

uwsT69 Aug 22, 2017

I just went through interview kickstart and cracked into Google. I didn't leave a review simply because I wanted to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. A couple of my batch mates also cracked into Facebook and same reason. It is the next best thing to sliced bread with sex. Every single instructor there is amazing. And I come from a CS background with 7 years of experience. I checked outco also. They are only good for finding your first job in the industry. IK picks up where outco ends. Not a scam. just a founding team that is clueless about how to grow their business despite an amazing service. Outco is the exact opposite IMHO. I didn't find enough meat there, coming from a CS background. And I didn't need the self awareness BS.

OSIsoft xorM36 OP Aug 22, 2017

Why do you think so many people would want to remain anonymous?

uwsT69 Aug 22, 2017

Op- here is my bottom-line unsolicited advice for you or anyone considering interview kickstart: don't do it if you don't come from a CS background, or at least have a good chunk of experience in software engineering. If you DO have a CS background though or enough experience, then you can sign up blindly even. They are the real deal.

Oracle bYBVg65 Aug 22, 2017

I think something like Coursera algo and DS course from Princeton + IK prerequisites could be a good start before IK.

OSIsoft xorM36 OP Aug 22, 2017

Interesting, why do I need a full CS background? What if I just had a year of experience as a software developer? I guess my question is what parts of the CS background are required in order to get a good experience out of IK?

Cisco cpIM32 Aug 25, 2017

If you are considering it, take it. My first offer already multiplied my current salary. 3 more onsites next week. Keep in mind this is not a magic bullet. You will have to put in the work. But IK Makes everything so much smoother and provides a process and priceless community I actually miss the lectures

ShowingTime ipGV04 Sep 9, 2020

What was your TC before? Where are you interviewing at? How did the next 3 onsites go?

mdTT51 Aug 27, 2017

I agree fullly with @uwsT69, but not with the part where s/he says that you need a CS background. I don't have one and I am not facing any trouble in the class. More importantly, the entire program and all instructors seem so vested in what they do, that the whole thing is a joy to be a part of. I am currently In the program and I have learnt more enjoyable and relevant stuff in just 3 weeks than I learnt ever before. I looked at outco also. There is not even a comparison.

Microsoft Rscold Sep 29, 2017

‘InterviewKickstart’ alumni here. I took course because I like solving algo puzzles/problems. I was looking to get design/scalability part right. It was horrible. I suggest, do Leetcode. All they do is cover 2-3 problems on each section and then give homework assignment (found on Leetcode). Don’t waste your money. (I have given anonymous feedback on Quora).

Microsoft biddut Sep 29, 2017

Oh wow. I just signed up and going to have an informal initial chat with them before starting the course. Thanks for the feedback

Microsoft Rscold Sep 29, 2017

Since you are already in Microsoft, it’s not going to be helpful. People who are clueless about Linkedlists or trees may find it helpful. I didn’t find their mock interviewers that good. Some were deliberately trying to give low rating in mocks or were confused with approach taken and when convinced that solution is right, suddenly change topic saying i was checking your confidence. Yeah, that happened.

Finastra IBCA66 Nov 9, 2017

IK is the best investment I ever made. They basically help engineers double their income. Everyone I kept contact with from my batch feels the same way.

Microsoft Fqrxjkechj Nov 9, 2017

Disagree

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LC'ing Apr 9, 2019

Can you please provide more details, @microsoft. I can pm you if that works better.

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timber Jun 17, 2018

What is the fees for the program?

HPE JqbX05 Apr 22, 2020

about $6000 two years ago. probably more now

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GQSk21 Jun 27, 2022

It’s 6800USD