UPDATE: Maddy Zhang, a former software engineer at Google, has just shared her top five tips for securing a job in Big Tech, a sector known for its fierce competition. Speaking on the podcast “A Life Engineered,” Zhang emphasized the urgency for job seekers to act quickly, revealing that timing can make or break their chances.
In her experience, applying within hours of job postings is crucial. “If you wait a day, probably there’s going to be hundreds of applicants for it,” Zhang stressed. This insight is especially relevant as Big Tech firms are inundated with resumes, making it vital for candidates to stay ahead of the curve.
Zhang, who has also interned at Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, now works at Airbnb. She noted that 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 land an interview, according to data from Indeed.
The second tip on her list is to seek referrals from current employees. Zhang highlighted that applicants with referrals often experience a significantly higher success rate. However, she cautioned against reaching out to anyone randomly on LinkedIn. “If you don’t actually have a connection with them, it’s not going to help,” she warned.
Once candidates clear the initial application hurdle, they face the technical interview—a critical step in the hiring process. Zhang recommends utilizing LeetCode, a platform many engineers use for preparation. “I know no one really likes it,” she admitted, “but it’s a necessary evil.” To maximize success, she suggests tackling a mix of easy, medium, and hard problems.
Zhang also urged applicants not to underestimate their qualifications based on the prestige of their educational background. “Most of my friends didn’t go to ‘good computer science schools,'” she revealed. “As you progress forward in your career, your school matters less and less.” This perspective is particularly empowering for candidates from diverse educational backgrounds, as it reinforces that determination and skill often outweigh institutional prestige.
Finally, Zhang’s crucial advice to aspiring Big Tech employees is to remember that job hunting is a numbers game. “I had been rejected hundreds of times,” she shared, reflecting on her early career challenges. Rather than allowing those rejections to deter her, she learned not to take them personally. “Maybe I had a bad day, maybe the interviewer had more qualified candidates,” she explained, emphasizing that rejection does not define one’s worth as a software engineer.
As job seekers navigate the competitive landscape of Big Tech, Zhang’s insights provide a roadmap for success. With these five essential tips, candidates can enhance their chances of breaking into one of the industry’s most sought-after positions.
This urgent advice comes at a critical time as the tech industry continues to evolve, and opportunities arise rapidly. Job seekers are encouraged to take action now, implementing these strategies to stay ahead in the race for coveted roles at leading tech companies.
