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Career Advice About Microsoft

Videos and discussions from Taro to grow your tech career.

Is Formation.dev Worth $20k for a Startup SWE Transitioning to Big Tech?

Software Engineer at Taro Community profile pic
Software Engineer at Taro Community

Hey everyone, I’m right now exploring breaking into Big Tech and want to determine if is for me :).

Background:

  • BS in CS (2022), 1.5yr SWE at Series B YC startup ($150M)

  • Left Jan 2024 for break, explored GovTech/startup ideas

  • Pivoted to Big Tech goal (Nov 2024)

  • Completed 150+ Leetcode, 26 mock interviews on TryExponent

  • Did 5 startup interviews Jan 2025 (rejected) - realized startups need different prep & chose Big Tech.

Along the way, I’ve tried creating interview prep groups but that failed.

Current state:

  • Formation TIRA score: 525/1000 (could pass easiest tech interviews at JP Morgan Chase)

  • Have referrals at Meta/Stripe/Google/Microsoft

  • Got and failed Uber L4 first recruiter screen (7/18/24)

  • Solo prep isn't working well& I’m clearly not at a level to pass any Big Tech interview.

My main priorities rn:

  • Find a community. Interview prep alone is tough & feels inefficient.

  • Have accountability to level up.

  • Have real-world challenges (such as mocks interviews with real Big Tech engs)

  • Know what to work on.

Spoke with recruiter and offers:

  • AI-generated DSA exercises

  • Weekly small group interviews (5 people) with industry eng

  • Weekly 1:1 mocks with staff eng

  • Job recommendations

  • Daily manager check-ins

Cost: $5k upfront + up to $15k ISA

Worth it or not:

  • Alex said: “So is one of the better interview bootcamps out there. They have results, and the founders are legit. However, their results have definitely dwindled in this market, especially among junior engineers.”
  • My current thinking is to do the 7 day free trial and just see how it goes.

Questions:

  1. Given the 2025 market, is generally worth it? How about given my situation?
  2. Is the cost ($20k total possible) concerning?
  3. What Big Tech level should I target? I received a L4 recruiter interview at Uber (7/18/24) and failed the recruiter call so that makes me a bit confused.
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Posted 2 months ago
111 Views
4 Comments

Strategizing for a Potential US Relocation Within Microsoft After a Year

Mid-Level Software Engineer at Microsoft profile pic
Mid-Level Software Engineer at Microsoft

Hi Taro Community,

I’ve recently joined Microsoft India as an SDE-II, transitioning from Cisco where I had initially been based in the US before relocating to India in 2020 due to visa challenges. With an aspiration to move back to the US within the next 1-2 years, I’m seeking advice on how to strengthen my case for this potential relocation.

Here’s a bit of background: At Cisco, I reported to a US manager, and post-layoffs in 2023, I embraced the opportunity at Microsoft India amidst a lack of other offers. The remote work model, extending from my time at Cisco to now, has been challenging, often involving late-night work to accommodate time zone differences. This has reinforced my desire to return to a US-based role.

Understanding that I need to complete at least a year at Microsoft India to be eligible for relocation discussions, I want to proactively prepare and position myself as a strong candidate for such a move. I’m interested in hearing from those who have navigated similar paths or have insights into making a compelling case for international relocation within a large organization like Microsoft.

  • What steps should I take in the next year to build a strong case for relocation?
  • How can I effectively communicate my desire for relocation to the management team, ensuring they understand the professional (not just personal) benefits of such a move?
  • Are there specific achievements or contributions I should focus on that would underscore my potential value to a US-based team?

I appreciate any guidance, experiences, or strategies you could share.

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Posted a year ago
106 Views
5 Comments

Seeking Guidance on Navigating Initial Tasks, Documentation, and Codebase Familiarization

Mid-Level Software Engineer at Microsoft profile pic
Mid-Level Software Engineer at Microsoft

Hi Taro Community,

I’m a recent addition to my company and have embarked on my journey with a few initial tickets, completing 3 PRs in the span of 2.5 weeks. Alongside these tasks, I’ve been provided with architectural and design documents to help me grasp the broader system. However, these documents are quite high-level and, at times, challenging to comprehend fully, especially without knowing which sections are most pertinent to my current work.

Given the breadth of information and my eagerness to effectively contribute, I’m contemplating the best approach to balance my tasks with learning. Here are a few points I’m considering and would love your insights on:

  1. Targeted Learning from Documents: Should I consult with my mentor on which specific parts of the document would be most beneficial for me to focus on initially, considering my current assignments?
  2. Codebase Familiarization: How should I approach diving into the codebase? Is it advisable to ask my mentor for guidance on specific modules or areas that align with my tickets or overall team objectives?
  3. Balancing Tasks and Learning: What strategies have you found effective for simultaneously working on assigned tickets, understanding high-level documentation, and becoming familiar with the codebase? Is there a recommended balance or sequence that could optimize my ramp-up process?

Navigating the initial phase and ensuring I’m building a solid foundation is my top priority. Any experiences, strategies, or advice you can share on managing these early stages of onboarding would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support and guidance.

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Posted a year ago
91 Views
4 Comments