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Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

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Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#51

Post by zerr »

jpatokal wrote: post #12

You've doubtless seen this already, but I'm going to quote Steve Yegge anyway: You: But what if I get a mistrial? I might be smart and qualified, but for some random reason I may do poorly in the interviews and not get an offer! That would be a huge blow to my ego! I would rather pass up the opportunity altogether than have a chance of failure! Me: Yeah, that's at least partly true. Heck, I kinda didn't make it in on…

The downside of these kind of interviews is that it is a priori assumed that candidate should prepare...

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#52

Post by hatty »

mindcrime wrote: post #2

Through most of my life I always looked at any form of rejection as a form of motivation, and adhered to a sort of "next time, be so damn good they can't ignore you" mindset. I think one can take that too far, to a point where it isn't healthy, but if you channel the emotion the right way it can help you keep moving forward and keep climbing to progressively higher heights. If you want to take that approach, and say…

Points. I am giving them to you. Thank you, sir or madam. I salute you.

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#53

Post by tjradcliffe »

The mid-20's are an interesting time of life. We expect our life to be on some kind of track by then, and the reality is it often isn't. The difference between our expectations and our reality can hurt.

The biggest thing is to take some time. Time heals, and sometimes just lying on the ground for a bit after you've been knocked down is all it takes.

There are literally thousands of companies in the world doing interesting stuff that are not Google or Amazon. Many of them are starved for talent. This doesn't mean you're settling for places with lower standards, but rather the standards at Google and Amazon are so high that--as others have pointed out here--past a certain level it is random chance if you get in or not. Hiring is a very random process.

So don't restrict yourself to big-name companies. There are a lot of interesting and rewarding places to work that pay well. Keep going.

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#54

Post by zerr »

zuck9 wrote: post #34

Whatsapp's founder got turned down from Facebook and then he got rehired again when Facebook bought his company for $18b. If he had been hired that day, maybe there'd have been no Whatsapp. A single situation can be good or bad depending on how you look at it.

I'm pretty sure he added at least $1b to the price of whatsapp for the compensation of emotional stress he got back then :)

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#55

Post by jackhammer »

Most of the advise here seems to be along the lines of: "I was rejected from Google too, don't take it too personal". This post got a lot of upvotes, because this is an experience many people can relate to.

I read your previous post at: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8185085 and based on that I wanted to give you hopefully a little bit more personal advise. That said, I don't know much about you and personal situation, so I might be completely wrong.

Based on what you wrote, it seems like you had a setback in your life. After that you fixated all your efforts on your job interviews at Google and Amazon. When that failed, you fell into a hole.

I think, you need to find a different focus. I can't really tell you what it is, because I don't know enough about you.

What can help is to exercise and meditate every day. There is no such thing as bad mediation. Maybe talk with a psychologist, counselor or monk (I understand that you are in Thailand). It might help to view it in term of Buddhism: attachment, craving and letting go.

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#56

Post by GuiA »

hkmurakami wrote: post #30
GuiA wrote: post #26

I am currently working at a company that is widely considered to be amongst the best in the world in its area of expertise. I interviewed 6 times, with 6 different teams, over the course of about 8 months, until I got an offer from my current team. What's interesting is that in retrospect, my current role is far more interesting and demanding on all fronts than any of the other teams I interviewed for. It's hard, but…

I think this is great info. It's usually never quite clear from the applicant's perspective whether multiple interviews with multiple teams is kosher or not (maybe depends on org as well?). Great datapoint ta have. Thanks for sharing, and congrats on the gig!

Regarding the multiple interviews, I would typically interview with one team, get a negative answer, not hear back from the company for a few weeks, and then be contacted by another recruiter for another team.

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#57

Post by lazybastard »

Even though the title is about dealing with Failed interview at G & A, I think the OP needs a different sort of advice. You can get into a hole in your life, more than once and for various different reasons (failing at interviews being just one of them).

This is more about dealing with life. Life that can be harsh and unforgiving. Exposure to Mass Media on a 24/7 basis has changed us as persons. It has made us take enormous amount of useless stress with all the false/misdirected expectations that we set for ourselves, often based on what has happened in the life of those who get the limelight.

We need to disconnect on a regular basis. We need to clear the noise and relax. Life is not about chasing the next big WOW. No need to take stress because of things that would have given us even greater stress if we had got them.

The World is in Shambles (at least for most of us).

As mindcrime in an another comment says,

"a better strategy is to get on with it with a sort of calm, peaceful acceptance of things, even when they are negative"

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#58

Post by annythesillicat »

jackhammer wrote: post #55

Most of the advise here seems to be along the lines of: "I was rejected from Google too, don't take it too personal". This post got a lot of upvotes, because this is an experience many people can relate to. I read your previous post at: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8185085 and based on that I wanted to give you hopefully a little bit more personal advise. That said, I don't know much about you and personal si…

This takes my breathe away. I'm pretty much like what you're saying. I’m lost and need to focus on different thing. I know it is bad when I think like I'm from poor family and I carry responsibility everywhere I go. I felt like I am an underdog until I got to interview with these top companies. I think I expected myself to get the job because I want to feel like ''yay!, I made it''. I’m still pretty sure that I want to work with one of these companies, surround with smart people where I can learn together with them and be a better person. See how far I can go. Because of the rough road of life I’m falling in. I learn how to let go. I love reading Dhamma, Persian poetry, philosophy and psychology. I mediate almost everyday. Go to gym/swim/ yoga. I’ve been living a happy life by using this stuff as a life manual. Just this time I don’t know what happen. I totally have no idea what I’m talking about. Haha. Thank you very much for your advice. I could see how I can adjust my craziness from your perspective :)

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#59

Post by annythesillicat »

reality_czech wrote: post #41

Try working for McDonald's. The interview is a lot easier, and you get free food there as well!

when I was in school. I worked part time in McDonald's. I could split money to my family. yeah, easy interview. Good experience and I've learn a lot after all.

Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?

#60

Post by annythesillicat »

lazybastard wrote: post #57

Even though the title is about dealing with Failed interview at G & A, I think the OP needs a different sort of advice. You can get into a hole in your life, more than once and for various different reasons (failing at interviews being just one of them). This is more about dealing with life. Life that can be harsh and unforgiving. Exposure to Mass Media on a 24/7 basis has changed us as persons. It has made us take e…

salute! "a better strategy is to get on with it with a sort of calm, peaceful acceptance of things, even when they are negative" and clear noise and relax. I did went offline for 7 days. feel much fresher!
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