Value of preparing Emotionally for your FAANG interviews – part 1

by | May 5, 2022 | Community | 0 comments

Value of Preparing

Preparing Emotionally for your FAANG interviews

Looking back at this post in January 2023, I think it’s even more relevant in today’s job market than when this was written (May 2022).

When I went through my interview process and eventual hiring with Google, I did exactly what I had done for all the interviews I was invited to in the past. I went in cold turkey – zero preparation, no real knowledge of the team, the role, heck even the company itself. I just believed I would wow people with my raw talent and gregarious nature. I provided answers in the “I would do this…” format assured they would just see me as the perfect individual for that role and bingo – hire me.

I was successful to a degree in those adventures. My resume shows that I had success – Google (2 yrs), Facebook (~1 yr), Microsoft (8 yrs), Intel (4 yrs), Amazon (2 yrs). Should be an immediate call from recruiters, right?

But for most of the many interviews I went to I didn’t get an offer. Salesforce weren’t impressed with me. The first time I interviewed with Amazon was a no-op – the second I got it, but I didn’t do anything differently from the first time. Expedia, Clearwire, T-Mobile, Paccar… all passed on me. I was even told explicitly by Amazon how to approach the interviews, how to prepare. What did I do? I ignored the advice and just winged it.

But I had an epiphany during my interviews with Google.

Even though I didn’t change my preparation, what I did get from my calls with the recruiter and the technical phone screen was this:

  • treat the call like a conversation – don’t get stressed out as no one answers questions well under duress
  • ask as many questions as you are being asked. Ask clarifying questions when you are asked something ambiguous. Try to find out more about the interviewer themselves
  • don’t go into unnecessary detail in your stories. Often we focus on one aspect of our experiences that we are very confident in. BUT that might not be what the job requires.

Preparing Emotionally for your FAANG interviews – Confidence and the reluctant candidate

You might be thinking “oh that’s fine and dandy, Rob. Telling me not to get stressed out during a call or on-site interview that could change my entire life and impact my career? How can you expect that from me?” Well I believe it’s one of the most important things to learn. Depending on the role you are looking at, it might very well explicitly require that skill for that job. This interview or this call isn’t the end of the world if it doesn’t go well nor does it mean you’re the king of the world if it is fabulous. Its the beginning of an opportunity to learn new things and develop new skills. The interview itself should be a learning experience – you’re meeting new people who could be future colleagues. It would be good to find out what has made them successful in their roles. You can’t do that with any honesty nor digest that if you’re nervous. This is something you need to realize before you go into these events under stress.

You have as much at stake and as big of a decision to make in this as the employer does. You can always say no to an offer if it doesn’t feel right.

Am I naïve and deluded? Yes and no. Okay sure it’s Google/Facebook/Amazon/Company X… but what if it’s a role you don’t have any interest in or expertise in? What if the team seems really stressed out or are unpleasant to talk with? What if the hiring manager is a jerk?

You can and should say no to an offer. Ask the recruiter if there’s something else that you might be better for. If they don’t have anything. then pass entirely on the company. Nothing is more miserable than working in a job you hate for someone you dislike doing stuff that you have no interest or expertise in. Trust me – I know all about it from personal experience. It’s absolute misery.

Once you realize this, then you will drive this interview just like the interviewers themselves. This power you now have should make you a LOT more confident and in control. Success is dependent on your confidence in yourself.

Remember this as well – they called you. You aren’t begging for them to talk with you.

You might have submitted your CV for many of their website job postings. But at this point they found you, reviewed your background, and deemed you as worthy. You don’t have anything more to prove except that you’re competent and a good person to work with. If you don’t blow it by freaking out you’ll have a great shot at the job.

Remember, Preparing Emotionally for your FAANG interviews is Crucial

Once I realized this myself, I ended up going through my interviews with confidence. I felt that if I didn’t get invited to join the company, I would be okay. I knew I had an excellent background, that I was a smart creative problem solver, and I possessed Intellectual Humility. Therefore I am an excellent colleague and manager that any employer should want.

I had my full loop with Google Cloud on a Tuesday and left the Sunnyvale campus at 5 pm to fly back home. Two days later Thursday morning 8:31 am I got the call from my recruiter saying I’d gotten all Strong Hires and had been submitted to the Hiring Committee.

I was given my offer the following Tuesday and it matched what I’d expected in level and salary/bonus/stock. When all was done, I was told I was one of the fastest hire decisions for the Hiring Committee at Google. Also one of the fastest hires going from accepting the offer to actually having my butt in a seat and hardware in hand (3 weeks).

Reach out and ask questions, or even better book a session for us to talk and establish a rapport. I know I and Prodigy can get you to this place of confidence.