It's hard to make a generalization, but which do you feel is an easier interview to crack amongst the two ? Obviously, leveling differs from company to company, but basically its senior engineer vs manager in a FAANGMULA or an equivalent company. Please also comment with supporting thoughts and why you think one is harder than the others and the challenges associated with the interviews. #engineering #software #swe #faang #facebook #apple #amazon #netflix #google #microsoft #uber #linkedin #airbnb #snap
Depends on your experience. Which have you had more experience at that level to demonstrate in an interview?
EM interviews but ICs will think because there are more behavioral questions and less technical it should be easier. However, with EM interviews you still do the same technical rounds but less of them. So that means you don't have another interview to make up a negative interview. Example, an M1 might bomb a coding interview but since there is only 1 coding on the loop with no other counter signal, no hire. Now yes, coding bar might be a bit easier but the point is you have to nail each type of interview 1st time. FAANG companies have so many people to choose from and hiring a bad EM has a worse blast radius than a bad IC, so they are more selective on having only positive signals for each type of interview.
+1 (mgr here). Happened to me couple of years back
If you are already EM and not actually coding then it becomes difficult to come up with good code for problem sets that you see for first time.
EM interviews are harder. You have to cover broader topics than ICs. For example, you are given one coding round to prove that you know how to code, and as much as people here say EMs are provided with easier questions, I sometimes got LC hard. Also, System Designs interviews are typically covered by Principal/Staff engineers (whomever level above you since you would have to manage engineers in your level), and lets say they are not easy to impress. Finally, behaviour questions are not easy... they really drill down until you give them the nitty gritty details. VP/Directors are also always in your hiring loop whom you have to impress with solid evidence - note, they have enough experiences to look through any BSs. And for all your interviews, your oral and written communication skills have to solid (clear and concise). No mumbling and I know they relax this for ICs. This is just based of my experience interviewing as an IC and as an EM.
Manager interviews are always easier.
Are you an IC or an EM ?
IC