I went on the interview with Amazon AWS and Google, and I couldn’t make it to the final round. It is disappointed but I feel thankful for this opportunities and I’ve learned a lot. I am a person who never be afraid, always moving forward and never stop. Always looking for positive opportunities. I’m very sure what I want and where I want to be in the future. But this feeling I have right now is kinda lost and confused. I’ve been taking care of my family since I was in school, I have pretty rough journey of live but I’ve done quite a good job on being a good daughter, responsible sister and strong self. I never give up no matter what. But these days I’ve been quite depressed and never have this feeling before. So many night I have (real) dream about the night my brother die and I wake up and cry, feeling lost, lonely and kept asking myself random questions. I tried to meditate to tame the mind and thought but it seems like it didn’t work as it always. I make a joke on it, maybe it is quarter life crisis, I’m 25 and soon turning 26, I should be ok by then.haha. I guess this could be an aftershock from AWS and Google interview. And I don’t know how to deal with it.… anyone ever struggle in this feeling before and how to get rid of it? Any suggestion or comment would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much :)
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?
#2Through 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 "f%!# it, I'm going to buckle down and work my ass off so I do get the job next time" there are a few concrete steps you can take.
1. Find, read, and do the exercises in two or three of the various popular books on "programming interviews". I'm thinking of books like Cracking the Coding Interview[1], Programming Interviews Exposed[2], Ace the Programming Interview[3], etc.
2. The companies you mentioned are well known for asking lots of detailed questions on fundamental computer sciences concepts. If doing "big o" analysis and talking about algorithms in detail isn't your forte, get a couple of good Algorithms course books and go through them. Personally, I'm a fan of the Robert Sedgwick books[4][5][6][7], and the CLR[8] book is a standard in this area.
3. Look over the many various articles / blogs / etc. written about preparing for Google interviews.
https://www.google.com/search?q=google+interview+preparation
I have never applied to Google myself, so I can't speak to that from first-hand experience, but this Steve Yegge blog post always struck me as being excellent:
http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2008/03/get-that-job-at-goog...
4. Take as many interesting Coursera, EdX, Udemy, etc. courses as you can find time for.
5. Write code any chance you can. Get involved in, or start, an open source project (or two). Volunteer to code for a non-profit / charity or something in your area. Write an app for yourself, to fill a need of your own.
6. Make sure you broaden your horizons and challenge yourself. If you've always written, say, Java or C++ or Ruby code, then make an effort to learn Go, or Erlang or Haskell or Prolog.
All of that said, as I've gotten older, I probably feel a little bit less of the "I'll show you!" thing. I've developed more of a stoic approach, and almost a bit of a zen mindset. There's a lot to be said for a sort of calm, peaceful acceptance of things, even when they are negative. There's a lot more one could say about this, but I don't want to get too philosophical here. I'll just point out that you applied to two... TWO.... companies. Out of like a BILLION possible companies you could work for. Ok, maybe not a billion, but certainly millions, or thousands, depending on where you live and your willingness / ability to travel.
My point is, don't put too much weight on what happened with Google or Amazon. The whole "dream companies" thing is a crock of shit, IMO, looking back on it with hindsight. I've worked for two companies in my career that I once thought of as my "dream" destinations, and neither experience was anything special (neither was bad either), and not worth getting all worked up over.
Final last bits of advice.
1. Read Nietzsche
2. Read Ayn Rand
3. Get drunk
4. Listen to some Queensryche
5. Profit???
[1]: http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Coding-Interview-Programming-...
[2]: http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Interviews-Exposed-Secrets...
[3]: http://www.amazon.com/Ace-Programming-Interview-Questions-An...
[4]: http://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Java-Parts-1-4-Pts-1-4/dp/0...
[5]: http://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Java-Part-Graph-Edition/dp/...
[6]: http://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Parts-1-4-Fundamentals-Stru...
[7]: http://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Part-Graph-Edition-Pt-5/dp/...
[8]: http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Edition-Thomas...
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#3I wouldn't take it too hard. I had the same thing happen to me for both Google and Amazon. With both they called me back later several times for other positions to interview for. I thought I did well on the interviews and still couldn't make it in. On one Google interview where I had the most expertise and thought I could get the job no problem, I didn't make it past the first interview.
I really couldn't figure out the problem but found a video from a former Google engineer who was on a hiring committee for years. If I can find the talk, I'll post the link. At one point during his time at Google, the committee got 10 candidates to decide on. They decided to not hire any of them. After the decision, they were told that the 10 candidates were actually everyone on the committee. So they had just decided not to hire themselves.
The point is a lot of times it is totally random and if one interviewer or committee member has a bad day, they may not hire you. So while skill is definitely required, a lot of luck is also required.
If you did well at all, they will probably call you back in the near future for another position. So stay positive and keep practicing till you get in.
For me, I eventually got a job with a smaller company and now I'm kind of tired of trying to get in. Maybe next year.
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#4Everyone get's turned down for jobs every now and then, eventually one will work out for you. Just keep building things.
The depression you're feeling might be a problem worth working on in and of itself though. Exercise, medication and therapy can all be really helpful, tackle it head on.
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#5[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#6In times like this I remind myself what really matters. It's not money or prestige, it's my relationship with God and loved ones.
The point of my life isn't to become rich. It's to become a better person. These "failed" interviews may be more beneficial than getting the job.
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#7lol you suck
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#8I've been there, having interviewed at both amazon and google and rejected at both. Ultimately, I'm better (and happier) for it. Eventualy found myself in the position of having to choose between multiple better offers. Use this as a learning opportunity -- other opportunities will come along, and this probably isn't the last you'll hear from either google or amazon.
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#9I'm sorry for the rough turn things took. Rejection from a company you want to work at sucks. I've coached 250+ interviews on Career Cup. Interviewing is a muscle, you have to build it with practice and techniques.
Contact me at bilal at careercup dot com, I will help you out pro bono.
Re: Ask HN: Dealing with Failed Interview at Google and AWS?
#10[deleted]