[smcphile]

> I wouldn't mind prepping 6 months on the side using cracking the coding interview, leetcode, etc. but I feel like I will be judged too harshly due to my lack of progress in my career during the last five years.

I would recommend reading “So good they can’t ignore you” by Cal Newport to get realistic advice and strategies for career advancement.

For example, firstly you need to be clear about whether you’re in (or want to be in) a “winner takes all” market or an “auction” market. The strategies for building “career capital” are completely different for each.