Please criticize my interview prep/study plan
Background: STEM, non CS. Never studied algorithms Only good at Python Goals: At least 2 SWE/ML/data engg offers from {FNG AirBnb Snap Roku} IC level 5+ Time constraint: Interviewing in 8 months. Can only spend weekends to prep (12 hrs/week) Assuming 3 productive weekends per month, I got ~300 hrs Planned prep sequence: For each topic (binary tree, hashmap etc) 1. Study relevant chapter in Goodrich/Tamassia DS and algo in Python textbook 2. Work through Leetcode articles containing easy problems for reinforcement 3. Work through relevant EPI chapter 4. Proceed to solving leetcode mediums without time constraint, no looking at hints until completely stumped 5. Add time constraint to leetcoding and solve on whiteboard. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until 2 mediums solved in 40 mins without looking for hints Then read grokking the system design, relevant chapters in CTCI and EPI and domain specific knowledge Suggestions/Criticism? What are my “blind” spots? Yoe about 10 TC about 300k
L5s are going to get Leetcode hard problems at they are senior technical contributors. For any higher IC (L6+) then Leetcode honestly won't cut it anymore.
What is the requirement for higher ICs L6+? I am assuming still leetcode hard but the problem now is the focus on systems design. For that — eng blogs, YouTube vids, designing data intensive applications... Am I missing something?
Thanks. I will make sure to try some lc hards, and the “honors class” section of EPI if time permits. Honestly some lc meds feel like hards to me. I’ll also be happy with a high end L4 offer all I need is TC bump
I’d suggest that you don’t spend more than 10-20 minutes totally stumped. It’s a waste of time after a certain point. Looking at hints after being stumped for a bit and using that in seemingly unrelated problems in the future will give you the bump you need.
If you quit and did this full time, would be about 2 months. Guessing you're an analyst or accidental generalist if never studied algorithms. For the target level will likely need to have systems background already. If have it, seems possible
I don’t think you’ll be able to get l5 offers. L5 needs a good design interview and just reading the chapter without hands on experience won’t cut it. If it did anyone could pass it. Unfortunately there is a lot of things you only realize when you start working on it and this is usually the signal interviewers are looking for. You still could get l4 though.
Thanks. L4 high end will give me a TC bump. I do some domain specific sys design in my day job. What resources would you recommend for generic sys design knowledge? I understand it only happens with real world experience, but I don’t want to get a backend SWE job just to get some generic design experience before attempting FANG interviews.
To be honest at this point I just don’t remember any specific docs. It was quite a long ago
I found Designing Data Intensive Applications to be a good book to read for systems design since you seem to have a lot of time. Also, ~1-2 months before your interviews, I'd buy leetcode premium and really focus on targeting the questions asked by the companies you're interviewing at (you can sort by company and frequency with premium).
I browed thru Kleppmann’s book but it seemed too theoritical to be of much use in interviews
I found some of the concepts to be useful in thinking about how to approach problems or why one db might be particularly well suited to some kind of problem.
Check pramp.com after doing some prep. Also, read sql and no sql concepts and data schema problems and constraints. Also, learn about how to deal with transactions in distributed systems.
@OP, did this work out for you? I'm in the same state (actually applying in a month, MSCS last semester) and interested to learn about your some of your learnings/study material.
Current job role and content of work?
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Sounds like a solid plan. Would also suggest uploading some data-intensive projects for open-source review and visibility. Good luck!