I feel like a failure

Samsung
YouYouYou

Go to company page Samsung

YouYouYou
Nov 2, 2018 30 Comments

I am current PM at Samsung but recently rejected by Google (PM) and Apple (EPM) positions. I feel like a failure.

I prepared so much for Google PM Interview according to their format and I was very confident. They asked me questions like 'measure the total length of a road in a city' etc. I was expecting these kind of questions and I prepared for it and I think I answered it very well. But they still rejected me based on the very objective view of one interviewer on some very vague questions. Now I can't reapply for another 12 months which sucks.

For Apple EPM role, even though it was a step down role for me, due to my desperation of changing the job, I interviewed with them. They freaking had 3 phone screening round and 9 rounds of on-site (30 mins each). I think I aced the interview, I knew more than any of their interviewers and had more experience. (I wasn't cocky about this during interview at all). But even they rejected me cause they thought I wasn't a technical fit.

Now I am only 34 and already feel like this is the peak of my career and no more progress from now on. I have worked very hard in past life, going from engineer to Product Manager. I feel like a failure after these rejections. I am applying to many FAANG jobs but getting very few replies back.

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TOP 30 Comments
  • Amazon
    AIV

    Go to company page Amazon

    AIV
    Eff me if 34 is the peak than I don’t have much time left.

    Look OP it’s possible you bombed and didn’t realize it so I’ll tell you: find a mentor. Ask someone to help with objective feedback. Git gud.

    But ALSO: don’t beat yourself up. I work in FANG. I got super lucky. I also get rejected from FANG jobs constantly. I walked into an interview for a lower level PM role at Facebook and knew from the first round that they’d reject me. Sometimes it’s not the right fit. Sometimes they already have someone pegged and they’re required to go through the motions. Sometimes the interviewer just had a bad day. The point is that while you should focus on what you can control, there are TONS of reasons you can be rejected that are entirely outside your control. Best thing to do is not beat yourself up. You got two interviews!!!! That’s amazing! People dream of getting ONE interview. Be proud you work at an awesome company already and don’t be so hard on yourself.
    Nov 2, 2018 1
    • Amazon / Product
      AlexaSound

      Go to company page Amazon Product

      PRE
      AMD, EY
      AlexaSound
      Sounds like my story. I am in FAANG. I got rejected by others and it’s just matter of luck. Even when we reject folks it’s for many stupid reasons. So, relax. If it helps, I am looking for a role in Samsung. 😜
      Nov 27, 2018
  • Intel
    Yoyk

    Go to company page Intel

    Yoyk
    One thing to keep in mind is that you are applying to one of the most conveted roles in top 10 tech company in the world. When you are competing at that level, you have to be OK with rejections as well. You did your best and it didn't work out. Big deal. First you take ownership of your rejection. Stop shifting blame to interviewers and look closely at what mistakes you made and move forward. Always move forward.
    Nov 2, 2018 2
    • Google
      eDJS71

      Go to company page Google

      eDJS71
      Bingo.
      Nov 2, 2018
    • New / Eng
      ComTruise

      New Eng

      BIO
      Tc = broke. Education: the Derek Zoolander school for kids who can’t read and want to do other stuff good too
      ComTruise
      This guy fucks
      Nov 2, 2018
  • Google
    eDJS71

    Go to company page Google

    eDJS71
    How can you be certain that you were rejected by the ‘very objective view of one interviewer’.? We don’t give that kind of feedback to candidates.
    Nov 2, 2018 3
    • Don’t be so hard on yourself! You know nothing about the other candidates for the role or how they did in the interviews.

      Maybe one of your interviewers had a bad day. Once I had to interview a candidate while a major incident was underway and I barely even listened to him.

      Or maybe they had some particular experience that you don’t have and that happened to put them ahead.
      Nov 2, 2018
    • PTC / Eng
      IndianAudi

      Go to company page PTC Eng

      PRE
      ptc, IBM, SAP
      IndianAudi
      @fhjkl its hard not to be when he cant interview again for 12 months or so. Especially when he must have tried really hard.
      Feb 11, 2019
  • Facebook / Eng
    a64

    Go to company page Facebook Eng

    a64
    Samsung is the Google of Korea. Move to Korea!
    Nov 2, 2018 2
  • Apple
    Spraynard

    Go to company page Apple

    BIO
    Call me Spray for short
    Spraynard
    I’ll add one more thing, and I think this is the key in my career, screw the man. Save up at least 6 months of living expenses and then become a independent contractor. These companies need freelancers ALL THE TIME! Hit up the recruiters that you dealt with, tell them, sorry I wasn’t a fit for you at this/or that time (if it takes you a bit to prepare) but tell them you would love to stay in touch and that you’re a contractor now and would be glad to help out where/when you can. They WILL keep you on their list and then they’ll bring you in that way. Once you’re in and unless you suck most likely after your contract is over they will extend you if you’re lucky or hire you full time if you have unpaid karmic debts! Ha

    But seriously if they won’t let you in the front door, go into the back door! That’s life advice right there ^. ;0
    Nov 3, 2018 2