Cracked TOP Product based company with 5X Salary | From a Software Test Engineer to a Data Engineer!

Summary

In this podcast, Mansa Nagraj interviews Sampriti Gupta, who transitioned from a software tester at Jio to a data engineer at Target. Sampriti shares her journey, discussing the challenges she faced, the preparation strategies she employed, and the importance of platforms like LinkedIn in her career advancement. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning, proper guidance, and leveraging LinkedIn for networking. Sampriti also highlights the significance of understanding interview questions, experimenting with career paths, and adapting to new technologies for achieving significant salary hikes and career growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker started with a package of 3.5 lakhs and experienced a significant salary increase after switching companies, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and skill development.
• 📚 Initially, the speaker referred to resources like Udemy and YouTube for learning but found them lacking in a structured approach, emphasizing the need for a clear learning path.
• 💼 The speaker's journey from a software tester to a data engineer involved self-preparation and internal interviews within the company, demonstrating the value of networking and internal opportunities.
• 🔍 The speaker found LinkedIn to be an effective tool for job applications and networking, receiving 90% of interview calls from LinkedIn, underscoring the platform's utility in professional development.
• 📈 The speaker's success in transitioning to a data engineer role was attributed to a combination of luck and preparation, highlighting the importance of being proactive in career development.
• 📘 The speaker recommended a structured learning path for big data technologies, citing the lack of clear resources in 2020 and the eventual discovery of a comprehensive course on LinkedIn.
• 📊 The speaker emphasized the importance of understanding the company's domain and projects before applying, as this knowledge can help in interviews by demonstrating how one can contribute to the team.
• 💡 Engaging on LinkedIn was a key strategy for the speaker, who connected with professionals in their domain and leveraged the platform to showcase their skills and interests.
• 📋 The speaker faced challenges in understanding interview questions and emphasized the need to comprehend questions fully before answering, suggesting a pause to think before responding.
• 🚀 The speaker's significant salary increase was attributed to learning new technologies at the right time and seizing opportunities when they arose, illustrating the impact of timing and adaptability in career growth.

Q & A

What was Sampriti's starting salary and how much did it increase after switching companies?

Sampriti started with a salary of 3.5 lakh INR, and after switching companies, her salary increased by approximately 450 to 500 percent.

What resources did Sampriti use for learning new technologies when she was preparing for her role as a data engineer?

Sampriti initially used Udemy and YouTube for learning but later found a more structured course on LinkedIn, which she found very helpful.

How did Sampriti prepare for transitioning from a software tester to a data engineer?

Sampriti started preparing by learning new technologies on her own. She took a structured course on LinkedIn and spent significant time preparing for interviews and building relevant skills.

What strategies did Sampriti use to get interview calls from top companies?

Sampriti actively engaged on LinkedIn, made good connections, asked for referrals, and applied to many companies. She received 90% of her interview calls through LinkedIn.

What types of interview rounds did Sampriti face for product-based companies?

Sampriti faced rounds that included data structures and algorithms (DSA), SQL questions, technical discussions on Spark and Scala, system design, and a hiring manager round.

Which technologies were most commonly tested in Sampriti's interviews for data engineering roles?

The most commonly tested technologies were Spark, SQL, Hive, Kafka, and both SQL and NoSQL databases.

What challenges did Sampriti face during her interviews?

One major challenge was understanding the interview questions precisely. She had to learn to take a pause, understand the question, and then provide a concise and relevant answer.

How did Sampriti handle the preparation and application process for new job opportunities?

Sampriti researched the companies she was applying to, understood their domains, and tailored her preparation to align with the company's needs and job requirements.

What advice does Sampriti have for individuals preparing for big data interviews?

Sampriti advises having a clear and proper pathway, experimenting initially to find the right career fit, and then sticking to and mastering the chosen path. She also emphasizes the importance of showcasing oneself well, particularly on LinkedIn.

How did Sampriti manage her time to focus on her career development?

Sampriti deactivated her Instagram account for six months and used that time to engage on LinkedIn, which helped her build valuable connections and prepare for new job opportunities.