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Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

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Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#2

Post by dustincoates »

This is a great post, and it's good to hear from someone who is doing great things so early. I know HN is often down in self taught or bootcamp programmers, but I'm happy to see people who willed themselves through.

On this point regarding the lack of leet code at Apple versus other big tech:

> Is it a coincidence that Apple was the only Big Tech company that didn’t do layoffs?

Yeah, I do think it's probably a coincidence. On the whole, a higher focus on leet code in hiring is probably a negative thing, but I doubt it has such big effects as to cause layoffs.

Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#3

Post by eclectic29 »

This is just "one" experience, certainly not the norm. Even as an experienced engineer of 15 yrs I'd to solve leetcode (LC) style problems on the whiteboard a few yrs go. For better or worse (depending on whose perspective you see), LC allows companies to judge you based on a common framework of solving algorithmic problems using computer science fundamentals (data structures and algorithms) in a language of your choice. Obviously, the problems vary in difficulty and many are trick problems which is what makes them frustrating, but it's the unwritten sad truth of this industry and I believe it's here to stay _if_ you're vying for very high salaries.

Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#4

Post by jpgvm »

dustincoates wrote: post #2

This is a great post, and it's good to hear from someone who is doing great things so early. I know HN is often down in self taught or bootcamp programmers, but I'm happy to see people who willed themselves through. On this point regarding the lack of leet code at Apple versus other big tech: > Is it a coincidence that Apple was the only Big Tech company that didn’t do layoffs? Yeah, I do think it's probably a coinci…

I do think there is a large gap between truly self taught and bootcamp programmers. Most self taught programmers have bounced through several languages, frameworks and different attempts to "crack" programming. Bootcampers in my experience have a very narrow slice of knowledge and crucially almost no understanding. This is a generalisation and I'm sure there are counter examples but by and large this has been my experience.

I actually prefer hiring and working with self taught programmers especially when it comes to juniors vs CS grads. They have less bad habits usually and a stronger appetite to work things out for themselves.

Though this could be just my own bias having not graduated in a CS degree, anecdata and all that.

Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#5

Post by nvarsj »

I know senior engineers at Apple who didn’t do a single technical interview. They got the role purely through networking like the OP did. Apple is pretty unique in this regard among big tech - teams have a lot of leeway in how they hire.

On the flip side, I’m fairly sure the hardware / system software teams have rigorous hiring processes.

Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#6

Post by doomlaser »

When I was an intern, we had to pay $1200 a month for corporate housing, and they put 4 of us in a 2 bedroom apartment, walking distance from IL1 in Cupertino. They also gave the 4 of us 2 bikes. Apple's cafeteria may not be free, but at least they're paying for intern housing these days.

Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#7

Post by boppo1 »

dustincoates wrote: post #2

This is a great post, and it's good to hear from someone who is doing great things so early. I know HN is often down in self taught or bootcamp programmers, but I'm happy to see people who willed themselves through. On this point regarding the lack of leet code at Apple versus other big tech: > Is it a coincidence that Apple was the only Big Tech company that didn’t do layoffs? Yeah, I do think it's probably a coinci…

>I do think it's probably a coincidence

I dunno, I don't think the size of their cash-on-hand account is luck.

Re: Getting a job at Apple without going to college or doing LeetCode

#9

Post by toyg »

As long as you're young and willing to put the work in (which is demonstrated by building things like nice apps), the software industry will always have space for you. No commitments, high stamina, inexperience in contract negotiation, willingness to believe in corporate ideals, willingness to live in corporate accomodation... what's not to like?

Microsoft and Apple were the first companies to understand this truth so deeply, so I'm not surprised Apple is still into these practices. If you are young, use them to your advantage; just - please go in with eyes wide open, because the industry doesn't really have your best interest at heart and never will.

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