Strategies from an Ex-Google Engineer for Landing a Role in Big Tech

Navigating a career path in the realm of Big Tech often appears daunting, but insights from Maddy Zhang, a former software engineer at Google, might just provide the clarity you need. After gathering experience with tech giants such as Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, she now brings her expertise to Airbnb.

Act Fast on Job Postings

One of Zhang's primary recommendations for those aspiring to join Big Tech is to apply immediately when job opportunities arise, ideally within hours. The sheer volume of applicants means that recruiters often prioritize those who respond swiftly, advising that delaying might mean your application gets lost among hundreds.

Leverage Personal Connections for Referrals

Zhang advocates seeking referrals as a powerful strategy to edge out the competition. However, she emphasizes the importance of genuine connections; simply reaching out to strangers on LinkedIn for a referral might not yield the desired results. Instead, fostering real relationships can significantly enhance your chances of success.

Preparing for the Technical Interview

After bypassing the initial recruitment stage, candidates must face the technical interview hurdle. Zhang suggests utilizing resources like LeetCode for preparation, although it may not be universally beloved, its utility in tackling technical problems makes it indispensable.

To effectively prepare, Zhang advises practicing problems across varying difficulties—easy, medium, and hard. It’s crucial to not only seek answers when stuck but also to go through the process of retyping and running each solution to deeply understand the problems.

Educational Background Isn’t Everything

A common misconception is that Big Tech companies are dominated by graduates from elite universities. Zhang dispels this myth, revealing that many of her peers, including herself, hail from a variety of educational backgrounds, such as state schools and community colleges. She underscores that as one's career progresses, the name of your alma mater becomes less significant.

Accept Rejection as Part of the Journey

Even with impeccable preparation and a stellar resume, securing a position is not guaranteed. Zhang shares her personal encounters with rejection, noting that she faced numerous setbacks. Over time, she realized that these rejections were not personal judgments of her abilities, but rather reflections of circumstances beyond her control, like the presence of more qualified candidates or simply a mismatch on the day. She encourages embracing this perspective as a part of the natural process of career advancement.