[throwawaypqr123]

Throwaway because reasons.

I "failed" my first four (edit: onsite) FANG interviews. 5th time was a charm, have been happily employed with a senior title at FANG for a couple years.

Not exactly new information to HN, but the job itself is quite a bit easier than the interviews (wrt to technical knowledge). It can be just as stressful though (I actually think stress response / teamwork is one of the main things FANG interviewers are looking for after a certain bar of technical competence is met, YMMV).

This isn't for everyone, but if it's something you really want to do, don't let the rejections get you down. You'll get in eventually :)

[decafninja]

Hearing stuff like this gives me hope, but still the experience is frustrating. I suppose for argument's sake, you can theoretically interview at each of the letters in FAANG every year. Just blew my attempt at the F for 2021, so trying to reach out to the rest of the letters (and some other companies).

[throwawaypqr123]

Oh agreed it's super frustrating. A lot of times you won't even get any feedback with the rejection, which is incredibly demotivating and tbqh, infuriating.

> you can theoretically interview at each of the letters in FAANG every year

One of those letters will let you interview many times in a single year ;) (but not for the same role on the same team)

If I had any final advice for those intent on going through the interview meat grinder it is that while l33tcode can be useful, you'll still want to understand some of the why behind popular algorithms and not just have a ton of specific ones memorized. This will save you when you have to talk through a problem you're not already familiar with.

Skiena's The Algorithm Design Manual was more helpful to me than any other prep material in that regard.

[tuxwins]

Do you mind articulating how specifically Skiena's book helped you, and what was your approach? If I have to do Skiena's book cover to cover, it'll likely take few months.

[decafninja]

Would that that be F & N? :)

I know you can interview at multiple roles at FB provided 1.) you pass the initial phone screen and 2.) the onsite loop is different - say, frontend vs. product/backend. Doesn't work for me this year since I likely failed the phonescreen...

I've heard in theory you can apply to multiple jobs at N too.

[ruste]

I interviewed multiple times for different positions at G two years ago. Two on-sites in six months.