How should I prep for SDM interviews?

Amazon / Eng
findinRory

Go to company page Amazon Eng

findinRory
Nov 4, 2021 6 Comments

New SDM here recently promoted at Amazon. Got only bananas, how should I prepare for SDM interviews for companies like Stripe, Paypal, Msft, FB?

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 6 Comments
  • New
    fire2025

    New

    fire2025
    Wait at least 2 years if you are a new SDM before interviewing outside. None of the companies you listed will take a brand new SDM as EM and will likely push you back to IC
    Nov 4, 2021 4
    • Amazon
      m0007

      Go to company page Amazon

      m0007
      That makes sense. But I'm assuming there are managers who are willing to invest in growth of people. Not everyone arrives fully prepared. But you are right, it cuts down chances of both success and opportunities in some sense.
      Nov 4, 2021
    • New
      fire2025

      New

      fire2025
      At the top companies, they have overprepared managers to pick from (think director level candidate coming in as first level manager). Given that kind of supply, why would they hire newbie managers?
      Nov 4, 2021
  • Amazon
    m0007

    Go to company page Amazon

    m0007
    Leadership (technical and people), system design and coding are the three main areas. You'll have to invest differently for each company. Msft - only God can predict how to prepare, they have the worst recruiters who are dummy proxies. When you reach out to the other recruiters, they will tell you exactly what they will interview you on and spend hours with if needed. Word of caution is that tech bar for managers is much higher than at Amazon. All the best!
    Nov 4, 2021 0