The ultimate interview preparation framework. Part 1: Before it all starts
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Finding a new place in a worthy company is not an easy thing to do. If you already have a company on your mind, don't event think a successful interview is something you can pull off during lunch break or next morning after throwing a huge party. You need to prepare yourself accordingly, it ain't easy walk.
Today I have decided to make a summary of my experience in cracking the interview process.
All the information below is not a silver bullet though. Nevertheless, I strongly encourage you to make your own roadmap. I hope these materials can be of help to achieve that. As long as you have a plan, and you don't skip steps, you will eventually prevail. Omitting some of the steps could (and probably will) ultimately cost you an offer. So better safe than sorry.
Ready? So let's do it!
Suppose that you weren't actually laid off, you're still employed, and you're thinking to make your next move. Then, consider doing this:
Life isn't a predictable thing, and it never plays out exactly how you want it. However, if on your current job the things don't go well, don't try to succumb to fear or panic, don't look for a new place out of fear. When the dust settles, you'll find yourself thinking the situation was not actually that wonky. You will face a dilemma whether to stay or leave.
On the other hand, try not to look for a new place out of need either. When money is about to run out, you could find yourself in a weaker position, and you will have to accept just the first offer that comes by (I know, I've been there). Usually the terms are not quite what you hoped for, and you will soon find yourself self-debating on topics such as "Am I happy? Wasn't this a betrayal of my interests?" That's why, when things start turning hairy, you may want to start looking, in advance.
Try to list all your reasons for the job change. This list will let you stay committed to the process in times of doubt.
Before even commencing the job search, you must take into account the timing. Keeping in mind that a typical job search lasts for roughly 1 month (could be more in 2024), take the following into consideration:
- If you have RSUs granted, check the time when they are vested. If you submit the resignation letter before the cliff passes, you will typically lose the shares. The notice period doesn't play any role, so it may be wiser to let the company know you're leaving one day after. Companies typically grant new RSUs at even intervals (it's called golden cuffs), so an employee basically stays bound with a dilemma, but usually it's a common sense to decide whether it's the right moment to jump off, or should you perhaps hold it for a month or two.
- It's typically unwise to change the job when your partner is also changing or being on probation period, in case you have loans or children depending on you.
We all have different reasons when it comes to choosing our next potential place of work. Some prefer startups with salaries slightly above the market, showing rapid growth, full of opportunities and risks. Other people might consider working for stable, solid and well-established companies, with good culture and perks, just to add a new shiny star to their CV.
A good choice would be to give a shot for the companies you are an active customer of. The reasons are:
- You are already familiar with what the company is doing.
- You already sort of know the product from the outside, and might even have proposals on how to make it better.
- Since you are a customer, you are probably enjoying the product already. However, you can help the company to prosper even more by joining. Isn't that noble?
One way or another, write down a list of must-haves for your future position.
An example of such a list could be:
- Minimum Nk salary gross.
- Only frontend/backend/fullstack positions.
- Company size
- Startups if you don't have many obligations in life, comfortable working overtime and/or want to gamble on potential IPO.
- Midsize or Bigtech for higher stability and moderate income.
- With an opportunity to be promoted within a timeframe of X years.
- Only remote or remote/hybrid work.
- Only USA-based/Europe-based companies.
It makes sense to reject opportunities that a priori don't meet the requirements, to save each party's time.
Every company I join an interview process for I run a certain high level research. It includes several steps.
I go to ChatGPT and use this promit to extract basic information:
Perform research of the company XYZ. Please be concise with the answers, the shorter the better. Give me the results for the following points: “company size”, “when founded”, “market cap”, “public or private”, “when was the IPO”, “investment round”, “headquarter location”, “development department location”, “remote or on site”. Format the response in the "point - answer” manner, so could later add it to my report.
Then copy paste the Job Description next to the following prompt:
Summarize the job description. Be concise with the answers, the shorter the better. Give me the results for the following points: "hiring budget”, "tech stack”, "important facts”, "level of seniority” Format the response in the "point - answer” manner, so could later add it to my report.
If the hiring budget isn't disclosed in the JD, check on Levels.fyi or Glassdoor, there could be relevant information hidden behind the singin wall.
However, it's not always about money. There is a famous saying "Join a company either to earn or to learn.", so we always got to choose what is best for us at the moment.
The outcome will look like a table that I use to match against my primary criteria mentioned in the previous section. Depending on the results I proceed to the next step.
In the job description there is sometimes a bunch of links about the culture of the company, as well as the values. Usually, this is something the company's recruitment department thinks could be important for a candidate to follow before they mash the "Apply" button.
I don't think for too long, don't fall a victim of the paralysis by analysis. However, I take time and read it carefully, and then find answers to the following questions:
- What are the company values, and what can I reply when I am asked whether I am aligned with the values or not?
- What is the company's mission? Am I ready to make their mission mine too?
- What kind of culture does the company propagate? Am I okay with it? Do I find it resonating with my own culture?
At first glance, all of it seems unimportant. However, in the modern world the relationships between an employer and an employee is slightly more complex, rather than just "Show me the money, and I'll show you the code!" In the long run, to be successful and, simply put - happy, I need all mentioned above to become a part of something bigger and greater.
Also, during an interview I can be asked "Hey, have you had a chance to look through our blog and check our values out?"
Some well-established and well-known companies deliberately ask if the candidate tried something out. The worst answer of yours would be "Emmmm... not really, not yet, no, but I anyway want to work for you." If you haven't seen their product, or don't find it amazing, why do you want to work on it after all?
Almost every time there is a community version or a trial period available. Download and give it a shot, even just to get an overall impression and be able to support a brief conversation about it.
Okay, so now that you made your research and told yourself "Yes, this is the one. My dream company", it is time to apply! There are three ways to do that.
Filling up the application form is a whole another story, but here are few tips.
- Tailor you CV in order to make it more aligned with the opening you are applying for. Since I am a fullstack engineer, and positions are usually either front- or back-first, I have two versions of the same CV: front-inclined and back-inclined.
- Spend some time on writing a cover letter. This is not a must (some forms don't even have an option to attach one), but in my opinion it can give your application a score or two. I usually copy-paste a few requirements from the JD and elaborate on why I could be a good asset for the company.
Upd. from 2024: in my opinion, due to massive layoffs in Tech industry in 2024, submitting an application via a form is the least effective method. Consider two alternatives below.
You can search for active employees of the company on Linkedin and offer them to refer you. They will receive a bonus, and you will get access to certain insider information. That's a win-win.
Some in-house recruiters are also present on Linkedin, and they are usually willing to help, because they will also receive a bonus for a successful hire.
Sometimes it happens so that you apply for different positions in different companies simultaneously. Given the fact, that a typical interview process lasts 2-3 weeks, try grouping your processes into cohorts and plan accordingly. Ideally you should have no more than 2-3 interview processes running at the same time, and, as an outcome, have the offers (or rejections, that happens too) on the table at more or less the same moment.
It doesn't make too much sense to overlap two processes. You will end up in a situation when you either accept the first offer and cancel the process with the other company, or you do the opposite: turn the offer down and gamble for the second company.
Tough dilemma.
Let's assume the application was delivered, screened and in a week or so you received a friendly offer to make a call. Here is what you should do next.
