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All my career rejections

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Re: All my career rejections

#21

Post by bluefirebrand »

decafninja wrote: post #18
goatinaboat wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Third time failing at FB. First time failed the phone screen in 2018. Passed phone screen last year but bombed the onsite. And now failed the third time on the phone screen. Being rejected by Facebook in 2021 is probably a good thing

Truth is, I am not as enamored about the company as I was before, and that's what I tell myself, but it's still sour grapes syndrome. It would still be an astronomical step up for me careerwise. I would literally throw away my senior SWE status to join any of the aforementioned companies as a junior SWE level.

> I would literally throw away my senior SWE status to join any of the aforementioned companies as a junior SWE level.

Sorry to say it but if I was a hiring manager and saw someone with senior experience applying for junior positions that's a red flag to me and I would be thinking they probably have big confidence problems.

Re: All my career rejections

#22

Post by decafninja »

bluefirebrand wrote: post #19
decafninja wrote: post #13

Just got off a FB phone screen which I think I failed. Only got through one question, and even that required assistance from the interviewer. My understanding is that if you don't finish two problems, you're doomed. Spent the past week basically taking time off from work to do leetcode problems nonstop. Too bad it didn't help. Third time failing at FB. First time failed the phone screen in 2018. Passed phone screen l…

It's a good thing there are more than like 5 software companies to work at. And most of the smaller ones, while less prestigious, are probably just straight up better places to work.

Of course. I will continue to interview.

That said, the number of companies I would be willing to jump ship to from my current job (despite my gripes about it) is not that large. Certainly more than FAANG, but I'd say < 100.

Re: All my career rejections

#23

Post by simmanian »

decafninja wrote: post #13

Just got off a FB phone screen which I think I failed. Only got through one question, and even that required assistance from the interviewer. My understanding is that if you don't finish two problems, you're doomed. Spent the past week basically taking time off from work to do leetcode problems nonstop. Too bad it didn't help. Third time failing at FB. First time failed the phone screen in 2018. Passed phone screen l…

>Needless to say, I feel horrible.

Is there a reason you want to get into those companies so badly? I personally don't practice leetcode, because my ROI on those types of problems is not really great, and I'd rather do things that I find to be more interesting with the time. This does mean that, when I interview, sometimes interviewers treat me like a child for not being able to reach optimal solutions for problems they know to be well known or simple. But I'm ok with that, because tech is an absolutely huge field, and there are companies out there that better fit me.

Re: All my career rejections

#24

Post by decafninja »

bluefirebrand wrote: post #21
decafninja wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Truth is, I am not as enamored about the company as I was before, and that's what I tell myself, but it's still sour grapes syndrome. It would still be an astronomical step up for me careerwise. I would literally throw away my senior SWE status to join any of the aforementioned companies as a junior SWE level.

> I would literally throw away my senior SWE status to join any of the aforementioned companies as a junior SWE level. Sorry to say it but if I was a hiring manager and saw someone with senior experience applying for junior positions that's a red flag to me and I would be thinking they probably have big confidence problems.

I don't do this, of course. I don't think companies/recruiters/HMs would even consider allowing me to. Although I think midlevel roles are more within reach (and many of the offers I've gotten were for such a level).

Re: All my career rejections

#25

Post by a_brawling_boo »

daveslash wrote: post #8

I entered the professional workforce in the fall of 2008, as the recession was in full force. I had a college degree, but no experience or resume of which to speak - and frankly, didn't know very much outside of academia. I was lucky enough to land a job, but was laid off in fall of 2009. I was poor, sleeping on an air mattress, and in my early 20s, but determined to get a job as a software engineer, even if it meant…

That is so similar to what happened to me, only I had graduated December 2006. So I had 1.5 years until it went south and got laid off. Luckily I had acquired a condo in that time at the market peak, so I had a place to lay awake at night and worry about how I'd pay the mortgage.

Re: All my career rejections

#26

Post by goatinaboat »

decafninja wrote: post #18
goatinaboat wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Third time failing at FB. First time failed the phone screen in 2018. Passed phone screen last year but bombed the onsite. And now failed the third time on the phone screen. Being rejected by Facebook in 2021 is probably a good thing

Truth is, I am not as enamored about the company as I was before, and that's what I tell myself, but it's still sour grapes syndrome. It would still be an astronomical step up for me careerwise. I would literally throw away my senior SWE status to join any of the aforementioned companies as a junior SWE level.

It would still be an astronomical step up for me careerwise. I would literally throw away my senior SWE status to join any of the aforementioned companies as a junior SWE level.

It’s still not worth sacrificing your moral compass, or if you prefer, your soul.

Re: All my career rejections

#27

Post by bluefirebrand »

decafninja wrote: post #22
bluefirebrand wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a good thing there are more than like 5 software companies to work at. And most of the smaller ones, while less prestigious, are probably just straight up better places to work.

Of course. I will continue to interview. That said, the number of companies I would be willing to jump ship to from my current job (despite my gripes about it) is not that large. Certainly more than FAANG, but I'd say < 100.

Every job I've ever had except one were for companies I had never even heard of before applying and usually in industries I'd no experience working in. One of the most rewarding parts of work for me is being able to shape the culture and future of a company even as an IC.

Forgive me for the observation but it seems to me you've put big name companies on a pedestal as though they are objectively better jobs and maybe have some blinders on in terms of the real scope of opportunity that is out there.

And if it's about pay, smaller companies can often pay well too.

Re: All my career rejections

#28

Post by d33lio »

pedrosorio wrote: post #16
cabernal wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

His CV is linked in there.

The CV only contains a subset of all acceptances

Not to be harsh, but maybe this guy just isn't a good engineer / academic? This is why I switched from EE to CS, I found it far more interesting and could execute doing software stuff at a very high level even with my piss poor academic record. Never do something you're mediocre at, life just isn't going to be a good time if that's your approach. Tbh, if I was this guy I would've just switched industries and done something I was objectively better at. I quit EE because without a doubt I would've been a C-level electrical engineer at best.

Re: All my career rejections

#30

Post by decafninja »

bluefirebrand wrote: post #27
decafninja wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course. I will continue to interview. That said, the number of companies I would be willing to jump ship to from my current job (despite my gripes about it) is not that large. Certainly more than FAANG, but I'd say < 100.

Every job I've ever had except one were for companies I had never even heard of before applying and usually in industries I'd no experience working in. One of the most rewarding parts of work for me is being able to shape the culture and future of a company even as an IC. Forgive me for the observation but it seems to me you've put big name companies on a pedestal as though they are objectively better jobs and maybe…

I'm open to entertaining any company really, but ultimately the question it boils down to is: "Is the new job/company good enough that I'd jump ship from my current job?"

Not just pay of course, although I'd be lying if it wasn't a factor at all. I'd be willing to jump ship for the same (or even less) pay if other characteristics of the new company made it worthwhile.

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