FAANG & The Job Search with Andy Wong - Issue #32

Hey friend! I got back yesterday from MagnoliaJS, a tech conference down in Jackson, MS where I had the opportunity to speak, so this email is going out a little late! This email newsletter is a recap of a podcast interview I had with Andy Wong (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykeewong/) who is a Sr. Engineer at Block. We caught up about how he got into FAANG since that is such a widely asked question I get! 

If you want to check out the full interview….

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4RzMUxw8PYK8AC53pIqtHx?si=BPp8VZv8RxW7opZcVyJ91g

FAANG & The Job Search with Andy Wong

• Take a skill inventory to determine what you are really good at and double down on that skill

• Put in the work required, hustle, have a plan (you can’t coast getting into FAANG)

• Ask for help, be transparent, get past imposter syndrome (seek out mentorship from FAANG employees)

• Know what your strengths are and highlight them

• You can fail at your first rounds, take notes then try it again (it’s not a one shot and you’re done type of thing actually the more engineers I speak with the more I realize most folks get rejected first time around)

• Much of it is who you know and luck of the draw (again WHO YOU KNOW)

• Be intentional in the interview process. Don’t fall into the mechanics (sounds familiar:) 

• I don’t know, but let’s figure out a solution by having more conversation and troubleshooting (big thing here, always say I don’t know if you don’t know but always try to find a solution or keep asking questions) 

• Negotiating: Assume that you have leverage. Have confidence. You are investing in yourself, negotiate for what you want

• Have a nothing to lose mindset, you want to be able to walk away

If you get something out of my newsletters, definitely share them with your friends! I am always on the hunt for engineers so if you or someone you know has at least 3+ years of software engineering experience in any language I would like to speak with them! I also offer referral $$$$. Off to Vegas on Sunday to speak on branding/community at Vaco’s Global Conference. If you are in the Vegas area on Sunday let’s have brunch! 

https://www.meetup.com/guidance-counselor-2-0-meetup/events/287801430?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link