Stay hopeful - my 2020 in review!

I got married in March early this year. Had FANG interviews lined up which I intended to give after my honeymoon. Wife’s PhD defense followed by our honeymoon was scheduled a week after our wedding. She had offers from two R&D companies. She successfully defended and that was the end of happiness for us. COVID had hit and out trip got cancelled, her offers were rescinded, my stock tanked and I was furloughed for a few months. Needless to say, we were buried in deep shit. My interviews got postponed indefinitely and I got back to square one of applying. Both of us started applying and made a schedule to workout and eat healthy. Things were fine for two weeks when reality hit us. We were living in a small studio with no income and scrambling for interview times as only one of us could interview at a time. Juggling the schedules was not an easy task. We drove each other crazy sometimes. I passed some interviews but did not do well in many others. Stress started affecting me, I gained 15 pounds in a few months. Then we realized it was up to us to make or break ourselves. We started being patient and more understanding but still fought with each other sometimes.

Slowly things seemed to improve, I was back to work. But I had to manage work remotely and interview now in a studio with my wife. It was still fine as we had income now. Later in August, I gave a FANG Loop interview. All went well, except a rude interviewer ruining one round. Wife received Post Doc offers from remotely located labs but didn’t accept as I wouldn’t have had any opportunities over there. We were both depressed but tried to remain positive as we had pending interviews.

Fast forward to December, I have multiple FANG offers and wife got a great role in a startup. Never lose hope. TC is nothing when compared to a loving partner who loves you and stays with you during the darkest hour.

Thanks to all the blinders for valuable information and suggestions.

PS: Only positive comments please!

Future TC: 350k(mine)
YOE: 4

Edit1: Thanks everyone for all the positive wishes. Happy New Year!

Edit2: I have intentionally not revealed the FANG and interview details as I didn’t want this post to be another mechanical TC bragging post.

#tech #fang #interviews