Confessions from a Big Tech Hiring Manager: Tips for Software Engineering Interviews

Summary

In this insightful video, Gargay, a seasoned hiring manager at companies like Skyscanner and Uber, shares valuable advice for job seekers targeting big tech firms. He emphasizes that while recruiters are often your biggest allies, it's the interviewers who reflect the company culture. Gargay suggests candidates prepare thoroughly with resources like 'Cracking the Coding Interview' and 'Grokking Algorithms', and highlights the importance of treating interviews as learning opportunities rather than solely focusing on the outcome. He also stresses the significance of communication skills and curiosity, which are highly valued in big tech environments. By being fully present, asking questions, and viewing interviews as a two-way street, candidates can make a strong impression and gain valuable insights into the company.

Takeaways

• 😀 The experience with a recruiter may not fully represent the company culture, as they are part of a separate function from engineering.
• 🔎 Interviewers and hiring managers are more indicative of the company culture than recruiters, so pay attention to their behavior during the interview process.
• 🤝 Recruiters are often on the candidate's side and can be a valuable resource for advice and support throughout the hiring process.
• 📚 Preparation for big tech interviews should include studying data structures, algorithms, and possibly system design for more senior roles.
• 🛠 Practice coding and whiteboarding, even if the latter is becoming less common, as it may still be part of the interview process at some companies.
• 💡 Adopt a learning mindset for interviews, focusing on gaining knowledge and experience rather than solely on the outcome.
• 🗣️ Communication and teamwork are highly valued, so engaging in conversation with interviewers can leave a positive impression.
• 👂 Be fully present during interviews, actively listen to questions, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification or to ask questions in return.
• 🔄 Interviews are a two-way street; use them as an opportunity to assess the company and determine if it's a good fit for you.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Recognize that big tech interviews can be exhausting and may not fully represent the day-to-day work environment, but they do offer a glimpse into high-pressure situations.
• 🔄 View rejections as learning experiences that contribute to your growth and preparation for future interviews.

Q & A

What is the speaker's background and why is he qualified to give advice on hiring?

The speaker, Gargay, has been a hiring manager for about five years at companies like Skyscanner and Uber. He also communicates with many other hiring managers, which gives him a unique perspective and knowledge to share advice on the hiring process.

Why might a recruiter's experience not fully represent the company culture?

A recruiter's experience might not represent the company culture because recruitment and engineering are separate functions reporting to different departments. While companies that care about employee well-being typically invest in their hiring processes, the recruiter's role is distinct from the engineering team's, and their behavior might not reflect the day-to-day culture of the engineering team.

How can a recruiter be an advocate for a candidate during the hiring process?

A recruiter can be an advocate for a candidate by supporting them throughout the hiring process. Since recruiters have hiring targets to meet, they are often rooting for candidates to succeed. They may provide advice, preparation resources, and even advocate for the candidate during debriefs if they believe the candidate has potential.

What is the role of interviewers in reflecting the company culture during the hiring process?

Interviewers, who are typically engineers or hiring managers within the company, can give candidates a more accurate representation of the company culture. Their behavior, whether friendly and accommodating or unfriendly and rude, can indicate what it's like to work at the company.

What resources are recommended for preparing for technical interviews at big tech companies?

The speaker recommends resources like 'Cracking the Coding Interview' for foundational knowledge, 'Grokking Algorithms' for a concise and visual understanding of algorithms, and 'The System Design Interview' for more senior candidates looking to understand system design concepts.

Why is it important for candidates to treat every interview as a learning opportunity?

Treating every interview as a learning opportunity helps candidates to be more relaxed, ask more questions, and engage in a collaborative exercise with the interviewer. This mindset can lead to a better impression, as hiring managers appreciate candidates who show curiosity and a desire to learn.

How can candidates take advantage of a recruiter's role as an advocate?

Candidates can take advantage of a recruiter's advocacy by asking for advice, support, and insights. They can be honest about where they need help and request preparation resources or information about common challenges in the hiring process.

What is the recommended mindset for candidates going into big tech interviews?

The recommended mindset is to focus on learning and not on the outcome of the interview. Candidates should approach the interview with curiosity, treating it as an opportunity to learn from smart people and solve interesting problems together with the interviewers.

Why is it beneficial for candidates to ask questions during the interview process?

Asking questions during the interview process shows that candidates are curious, engaged, and unafraid to have a conversation. It also allows them to learn more about the company and how it operates, which can be valuable information if they receive an offer.

How should candidates approach behavioral interviews with hiring managers?

Candidates should approach behavioral interviews by being fully present, understanding the questions, and having a conversation with the hiring manager. They should not be afraid to clarify questions and should focus on having a meaningful dialogue rather than simply reciting prepared answers.

What is the significance of interviews being a two-way street in the context of big tech interviews?

Interviews being a two-way street means that while candidates are being evaluated, they should also evaluate the company. Candidates should ask questions to understand if they would want to work at the company, considering factors like culture, work-life balance, and opportunities for growth.

Why should candidates view interviews as valuable experiences, even if they result in rejection?

Candidates should view interviews as valuable experiences because they provide an opportunity to learn and gain expertise, regardless of the outcome. Each interview, whether successful or not, contributes to their growth and prepares them for future opportunities.

How can the stress experienced during big tech interviews relate to the stress of working at these companies?

The stress experienced during big tech interviews can be an indicator of the stress levels that might be encountered in the work environment, especially during crunch times or when meeting deadlines. However, this may not always be the case, as some teams or companies might have different stress levels.