How can I go about getting back into the industry?
I was laid off on November 15 2022 and since then, I have been tinkering in different stacks building small projects in C#/.NET and Java / SpringBoot based on job demand from postings. Professionally, I used JavaScript / TypeScript and React as well as Python, Ruby on Rails, some Docker and AWS for 1.5 years.
However, somehow, because of anxiety over getting a job, I have strayed from getting good at any stack and revising Django to build a MVP of a URL link sharing app and building just because I don't know if I'll ever get users or scale as I never did something really impressive hitherto in my career. Because I wasn't really targeting big companies, I have been casually leetcoding etc. this past year and a half and am decent enough to do easies and some mediums in Python.
However, recently, I haven't been really applying as much, but got reached out by Google and Meta based on yolo applying mainly; I failed my Google early career phone technical and have my Meta screening 45 minute round for an IC4 role I applied to in 2 weeks. I am preparing as the recruiter sent me some resources after our call, but I don't know what my priorities should be. As I don't have high hopes, I assume I should still try to go deep in a stack, use more of Taro's resources such as its jobsearch tool etc. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
![Senior Software Engineer [E5] at Meta company logo](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffirebasestorage.googleapis.com%2Fv0%2Fb%2Ftech-career-growth.appspot.com%2Fo%2Fcompany_logos%252Fmeta.jpeg%3Falt%3Dmedia%26token%3Da7a5bcc0-e178-4b5b-b71e-09bf6c6aefae&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
![Mid-Level Software Engineer [E4] at Meta company logo](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffirebasestorage.googleapis.com%2Fv0%2Fb%2Ftech-career-growth.appspot.com%2Fo%2Fcompany_logos%252Fmeta_logo.png%3Falt%3Dmedia%26token%3Db5f837b1-c74f-4e2f-848b-1599f05624c5&w=48&q=75){kind=logo}
Discussion
(3 comments)- 1
3 months agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course HeroYour #1 priority should be to pass that Meta interview. You can learn how the Meta interview works here: "How does the Meta interview work?"
The Meta screening interview should be 2-3 LeetCode problems (Easy/Medium). I recommend going through this: [Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - Data Structures And Algorithms
When it comes to your focus area, it's best to double down on the experience you already have. It seems like you're the closest to a standard React/TypeScript web developer, so I would focus your resume on that and apply to a bunch of web roles. Use this course to optimize your resume: Get More Interviews: Write A Stellar Resume As A Software Engineer
In terms of orchestrating your overall job search, go through our job searching course: Ace Your Tech Interview And Get A Job As A Software Engineer
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3 months agoJunior Software Engineer [OP]UnemployedThanks. Do you think that it is possible that I can revise in 2 weeks? I am going through the preparation hub and targeting facebook tagged problems and going through other lists such as Grind75 and Blind75, some Neetcode again. It is weird that the recruiter is giving me a chance to interview for IC4 level given that I only have 1.5 YOE; it may be hard to pass the system design round even if I somehow do well on the DSA portions given my limited experience.
As sad as it sounds, React has changed a lot since I got laid off with Next.js and all and aside from small apps I built following tutorials, I haven't become the React expert. I find Python fun to write as I can Leetcode comfortably in it but the jobs may not lie there; I want to make a MVP to categorize useful URL links and maybe add recommending them or shortening URLs while doing so; maybe brushing up on Django and using it alone may be the fastest way to make a MVP?
TLDR: In terms of tech stack, I am rusty and not deep I guess. I recently found and started going through some Hire Train Deploy program that focuses on Java / SpringBoot to match people to Fortune 500 clients for their early career but it's not guaranteed. It's kind of like Revature and other bad companies but there's no money involved; I do believe that I have to relocate if they match me with a client in another state. They focus on Java because most enterprises use it. - 03 months agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
2 weeks to prepare for a Meta phone screen is pretty tight but doable if you spend 2-3 hours per day, 5-6 days a week. If you can though, I recommend asking for another 1-2 weeks to prepare. DSA can take a while to master.
I wouldn't too much about the system design round - Just pass the phone screen first. Interviewing is about putting one foot in front of the other until you reach the finish line. It's not productive to worry about problems that don't exist yet.
