Microsoft (L60) to Google tips for L4
YOE: 2 Worked at Startups, Toptal, and currently Microsoft. TC: 122k / 21k / 15k I had originally applied to Google and failed my on-site interview in 2018. Fast forward to Feb 2020 I got into Microsoft where I mainly work with TypeScript / JavaScript. I plan on applying to Google hopefully working on a team that uses primarily Golang and JavaScript / TypeScript. I have access to interviewing.io, I leetcode often on weekends, and I practice/study building distributed systems on my own free time apart from Microsoft work. What else could I do to better prepare specifically for a Golang focused role at Google. Also, I'd love to be able to interview with Google sometime in late 2020 or March 2021. Hopefully, y'all could give me a referral. Dm me for LinkedIn connection.
You won’t get L4
L4 will be a stretch indeed. Regarding how to prepare, take a look at the Software Engineering interview prep guide at https://engineerseekingfire.com/how-to-prepare-for-software-engineering-interviews/
Yeah this is something I really don’t get it about Google’s hiring strategy, you put 5 yoe-er same level as bachelor new grad. At least create a level of 3.5 so it gives people a reason to join
Google is by far one of the best places to rest and vest. The culture is also engineering driven rather than product driven allowing people to really enjoy their work cause they can build whatever they feel is right without worrying about the business blowback That + the prestige bullshit that people eat up means it usually attracts enough talent that people will go anyway. Some are jumping around to make moves but some just want to chill out. When you attract the chill crowd you also don't have to worry too much about aggressive leveling targets
I get your point, but chill crowd could always find a good place to vest and coast as long as they don’t care about down level, they could even ask for that. It’s really the crowd of people who wants to continue pursuing career growth that big G is trying to setback.
I made it to google L4 from L60. YOE 2. From my experience, you have to probably do well every single round
I ended up interviewing for L4 at Google, cleared the interview but recruiter said it would be more of a guarantee to get the ok from HC and a team that works with golang specifically if I come in at L3. I agreed but only because I fucked up my E4 Facebook interview and didn't have much leverage.
Thanks everyone for the perspectives
I think I'll just take the L3 and not stick around for the L61 promo my manager says is to come this Fall
It's unlikely that Google will consider you for L4 if you are L60 at Microsoft. Get to L61 first and stay at 61-62 for at least a year. Google normally lowballs everyone, so even L63 are often offered L4.
or L3
Do good in the interview for L4 I have 2.5 YOE and was calibrated at L4