Quit to leetcode

Feb 27 52 Comments

I'm thinking 2weeks to take a break (travel) and take 2-3months to leetcode and start interviewing. Would the gap indicate a red flag to the hiring companies including small to large corporate?

Reason why I want to quit to leetcode is I'm getting bullied at my current company. I tried all my options that I can think of to restore the relationship but the new hire whom I need to partner with is extremely difficult to handle and he's playing the chicken game where if I don't die you will die.

Ppl suggest me that I should keep my job until get fired or hired but having this job and thinking about it somewhere in my brain really drains my energy. I really want to leave. I have no visa issue or money issue. I can survive atleast 6months without any income.

Could anyone confirm this:
1. If I have a gap between the latest job and the new potential job will it be a red flag to small to large companies?
2. Has anyone done to quit to leetcode and had bad or happy endings?
3. Has anyone been bullied at a company due to the new hire created a toxic culture and environment? Can you pls share your experience and how you overcome?

TC: 105k
Yoe: 2yrs

#engineering #software #swe

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TOP 52 Comments
  • Are you remote? Just coast and collect checks while you LC
    Feb 27 4
    • CACI / Eng
      CACI Pants

      Go to company page CACI Eng

      CACI Pants
      I did remote work while studying LC. Really just depends on how pressing your job is for results.

      Bullshitting through standups is pretty easy unless you have a manager who really knows their stuff. I'm not even advocating that you completely blow off your job, but even just ~2 hours of real work a day will buy you a lot of time.

      I grinded like crazy, got an offer from Amazon more than doubling my pay, and gave them a start date 2 months away. Did all my vacationing in that time. You'd be surprised how long many companies (especially large ones like FAANG) are willing to wait for a good candidate.
      Feb 27
    • 2months away is actually pretty good, I'm surprised they were willing to wait for that period.

      Thanks for the advice.
      Feb 28
  • Amazon
    O(1)Stress

    Go to company page Amazon

    O(1)Stress
    The gap doesn't matter. Recruiters don't care.

    I think 2-3 months is too long unless you're really unconfident with your interviewing capability, or you can't dedicate 8 hours a day to study.

    I recently quit and studied for 2 weeks, interviewed at 6 companies, got 6 offers, and increased my TC by 50%. It's the best time ever to do it now with remote work.
    Feb 27 6
    • Uber / Eng
      mod3

      Go to company page Uber Eng

      mod3
      i had quit to focus on preparation in the same areas you are preparing. Look at the long term benefit. Recruiters don't look closely at the gaps.
      Feb 28
    • is the preparation on the LC or something else? Agreed I should look at the long term benefit, especially around my mental health.

      Thanks for sharing.
      Feb 28
  • Microsoft / Eng
    BlueBroker

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    BlueBroker
    Sorry you’re going through this!
    I haven’t done it personally since I’m on visa but if you have the option to do it, go for it! You can always tell them you quit to take care of your mental health. Companies understand that these days.
    Feb 27 1
  • I don’t really understand how more people don’t quit to Leetcode. Unless you work some crap government job with no work then Leetcode and system design prep is a full time thing, not even mentioning if you have family obligations etc
    Feb 27 5
    • Apple
      ADyq18

      Go to company page Apple

      ADyq18
      Agree. That’s why I quit. Started preparing during maternity leave, then quit job, and prepared and interviewed full time. Total preparation to offers took about 10 months, given that I also produced a human being, breasfed, pumped, and prepped only 2 hours a day.
      Mar 3
    • IBM
      hentaidad

      Go to company page IBM

      hentaidad
      I don’t get how people prep with a full-time job either. It’s just so draining. Feel like it involves sacrificing any hobbies, social life, health, and sleep. I am quitting to prep myself.
      Mar 4
  • Microsoft / Eng
    Eurr46

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    PRE
    Amazon
    BIO
    tenured engineer
    Eurr46
    1. Big companies don't care
    2. No but have thought about it
    3. Have not, tg
    Feb 27 3