How A First/Second Year Student Can Get Big N SWE Internships (Google, Microsoft, etc...)

Summary

The video addresses how to get an internship at major tech companies like Microsoft and Google as a first-year student. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights, covering essential tips for resumes, applications, and interviews. Key points include focusing on showing a passion for learning, the importance of quantifiable achievements on resumes, and strategies for getting noticed by recruiters, such as referrals and attending hackathons. The video also explains the interview processes at Microsoft and Google, emphasizing that the technical questions are manageable and tailored to the applicant's experience level.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many people ask how I got into Microsoft in my first year.
• 👨‍💻 Amazon does not have a first-year program unless you apply as a high school senior.
• 👩‍💼 Facebook's program is short and not directly related to their main codebase.
• 💼 Microsoft has the Explorer program and Google has the STEP program for first-year students.
• 👩‍🎓 Don't be discouraged to apply if you're not a minority; it's just one factor in the selection process.
• 📄 Your resume should be one page with bullet points and include quantifiable data.
• 🔗 Include links to LinkedIn and GitHub, but avoid personal social media like Instagram or Facebook.
• 🏆 Include work experience, projects, achievements, and relevant skills in your resume.
• 📈 Use keywords in your skills section to get through automated resume screening.
• 💬 Referrals, campus recruiters, and attending events like hackathons are key ways to get your resume noticed.
• 📞 Microsoft interviews include a phone call and onsite interviews focused on both technical and interpersonal skills.
• 🔍 Google interviews include two technical interviews and possibly a third if the hiring committee is undecided.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video?

The purpose of the video is to explain how the speaker got into Microsoft during their first year of college, to avoid repeating the same story to multiple people.

Which companies offer first-year and second-year internship programs?

The companies that offer first-year and second-year internship programs mentioned in the video are Microsoft and Google.

Why does the speaker dismiss the internship programs from Amazon and Facebook?

The speaker dismisses Amazon's program because it requires application as a high school senior, and Facebook's program because it only lasts eight weeks and the app built during the internship is irrelevant to Facebook's codebase.

Is it necessary to be a minority to apply for the Microsoft Explorer and Google STEP programs?

No, it is not necessary to be a minority. While minorities are encouraged to apply, anyone can apply as long as they meet other criteria.

What is important to demonstrate in your resume when applying for these programs?

It is important to demonstrate a love for learning, involvement in projects, and participation in clubs or activities related to programming and technology.

What format should your resume follow?

Your resume should be one page long, with all bullet points and no essays. It should include quantifiable data, work experience, projects, achievements, and relevant skills.

What are the three ways to get your resume noticed by recruiters?

The three ways are through referrals from full-time employees, campus recruiters, and participating in events such as hackathons and programming competitions.

What should you expect in a Microsoft interview for the Explorer program?

In a Microsoft interview, you will first have a phone call focusing on interpersonal skills and basic design questions. If successful, you will be flown to Seattle for two rounds of interviews, which may include technical and interpersonal questions.

What should you expect in a Google interview for the STEP program?

In a Google interview, you will have two back-to-back technical interviews. If the hiring committee is undecided, you may have a third interview. Passing the interviews guarantees an internship placement.

What common advice does the speaker give for interview preparation?

The speaker advises practicing coding questions on LeetCode, focusing on easy to medium-level questions relevant to data structures courses.