If you are NOT looking to switch companies immediately and have some time to spare, would you be doing a side project or learn some interesting new areas or practice leetcode ? I feel biased towards leetcode but dont feel excited about that. On the other hand, learning some new technologies maybe fun, but not sure if it has a tangible value.
Leetcode and make more money .. but if you don’t want to switch because of waiting for visa etc .. side projects .. understanding systems at work deeply / getting promotion etc can be better .. I thought about this last year ..feel free to DM me if you want to discuss over chat .
I personally think learning new tech and working on side projects absolutely has tangible value and it’s only because of a system of perverse incentives that grinding competitive programming is also worthwhile. I’ve learned way more from side projects and exploratory work that interests me then I have learned from leetcode. But I’m currently interviewing and so grinding leetcode helps me be a better interviewee even though the skills I’d bring to the table if hired are far more tied into my actual past work than the last 6 weeks of leetcode grinding.
Totally agree, competitive programming should be a hobby, yet it's become the mainstay of the tech culture.
What if there is a lay-off and I need to get another job quickly ? Being on a Visa could make it even worse. From past experience, I suck at Leetcode as well.
Side project to get interview. Leetcode to get through
LC then get into faang and then do side project because in google u dont have much work anyways
ok you will have your side project and then what? what will you do? how will you convert this time that you spent on this project to something valuable for you? Not clear leetcode - straight conversion, you go to better company and get more money
This was exactly my thought and my bias. Looks like folks feel differently about this. Perhaps it also depends on if you get a chance to network through your side project.
If you want to earn money from side project, go for it. Else leetcode to get a great package. Simple!! One is long term strategy, the other is short term. Choose wisely.
If I'm not looking to switch I just relax and enjoy life, neither of which involve side projects or leetcode. Don't get me wrong, I love writing code, but if I feel the urge I just work on projects for my actual job. At least you can use those to get promoted.
May be i am not aware,does anyone know where i could find some good side project to learn a new technology.Do you guys go to any specific website(s) for that.? Share if you have some tips on that?
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Side projects provide a benefit too, even if it is just something to talk about with an interviewer or to look good during team match. You can ramp up with leetcode in like a month, projects will keep you saner in the long run.
Does Leetcode not need a few months ?
Leetcode can take as long or as short as you need. I find that long LC cycles make me want to die, so I usually just start it casually a couple months ahead and try to hit a few problems a day.