UPDATE: Maddy Zhang, a former Google software engineer, has just shared critical insights for job seekers aiming to break into Big Tech. During her appearance on the podcast “A Life Engineered,” she outlined five essential tips that could significantly increase your chances of landing a position in this competitive field.
Zhang, who has spent over four years at Google and previously interned at Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, emphasized the urgency of applying for jobs as soon as they go live. “If you wait a day, probably there’s going to be hundreds of applicants for it,” she stated, highlighting the intense competition in the tech job market.
TIME SENSITIVE: According to Zhang, applying within hours of a job posting can greatly enhance your chances of standing out. Data from Indeed supports this, revealing that US job seekers who respond to employer messages within 24 hours are 4.1 times more likely to get hired and 6.7 times more likely to secure an interview.
Zhang also recommended securing a referral from a current employee, as applicants with referrals tend to have higher success rates. However, she cautioned against reaching out to anyone indiscriminately on LinkedIn. “If you don’t actually have a connection with them, it’s not going to help,” she said.
Once you’ve navigated the application process, you must prepare for the technical interview. Zhang advocates using LeetCode for practice, despite its reputation as a “necessary evil.” She suggests tackling a mix of easy, medium, and hard problems, and advises not just to glance at answers but to retype and run solutions to reinforce learning.
Zhang also addressed common misconceptions about educational backgrounds in tech. “Most of my friends didn’t go to ‘good computer science schools’,” she shared, emphasizing that many came from state schools or community colleges. “As you progress forward in your career, your school matters less and less,” she reassured aspiring candidates.
Despite the best application and preparation, Zhang reminds job seekers that landing a position is often a numbers game. She revealed that she faced hundreds of rejections early in her career, which once made her consider leaving the industry. “Rejection is nothing on who you are as a software engineer,” she stated, encouraging resilience among applicants.
As the tech landscape continues to evolve, these insights from a seasoned professional like Zhang may serve as a lifeline for those eager to enter the industry. With competition fiercer than ever, following her advice could be the key to unlocking your dream job in Big Tech.
Stay tuned for more updates on job-seeking strategies and tips from industry experts.
