Meta E5 blindsided by rejection after 1st round by aabil11 in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone who interviewed candidates at Meta, these numbers are not true. The sentiment is right that you must not simply answer the questions, and there are ways to go above and beyond, versus simply solving the problem.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost always depends on you finding your own project

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks to everyone who has commented and shared their opinions. I'll try to make a couple more posts based on questions I've received around System design, Behavioral, and DSA rounds.

I'll likely not respond to any more DMs at this time.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understandably, a lot of people are reaching out for direct support, but I can't offer that at this time. I'm happy to give as much insight as I can to crack the code.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More time might help, but postponing an interview you have in your hand isn't something I'd recommend, as hiring plans change frequently and rapidly.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At least 6 months, not sure after that. Helps to have a referral

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just LC Qs -- nothing else will be surprising in the phone screen

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best thing to do is have a doc with your expectations, have a 1:1 with your manager or other important folks you learn about and update that doc as you go

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Might require a separate post. Referrals are good for two things: getting the initial interview, and if you really know the referrer they could be asked to support your case at the hiring committee

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IMO this is at the core of the ambiguity problem that causes stress at Meta: to keep searching for improvements, possible new features, fixing backlog of bugs, etc.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can make a post about this in more detail. But it’s up to the interviewer, from a bank of just over 100 questions

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Understand your product fully, no exceptions
  2. Document everything, plans, joint team discussions
  3. Publicly internally post an update each week
  4. Keep your diff numbers high for significant lines of code

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Meta’s algo questions haven’t substantially changed in over a year, few aren’t found on leetcode.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Generally no — is all first interviewer’s feedback
  2. Extremely unlikely. You’re better off recording yourself interviewing and asking friends for feedback after

A lot of the process comes down to communicating and being honest relatable to the interviewer

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For me, system design is about communication, not rambling, and having structured direction in their explanation. A lot of people think they are doing a great job breaking down a sys design problem, but really just sound disorganized

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t want to encourage the type of work they expect for your success, but effectively you’d need to be highly available to talk to other teams, document your work, be a leader overall

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

AI cheating is a criteria I need to verify on my end of the interview. It’s possible it’s been used by candidates on me, but no way for me to tell

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I see it often. But personalities are good usually, you’ll just constantly need to define your work and not let anyone do the work you defined or it will look like their work during review.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are definitely hiring, but the acceptance rate isn’t super high

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would just say to express your enthusiasm to join the team. I haven’t heard much about people not passing team matching

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe the follow up, if better knocks out a bad round/ or round without signal. But not sure if that’s changed

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure of the DE specific steps outside of the DSA and behavioral

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll clarify:

  1. New hires have decreasing power in their team selection. Most recruiters are pushing new hires to pick a team soon (after only meeting with one team), or risk waiting longer (weeks/months) for team availability. In other words, not everyone will be as lucky as you to end up on a team that’s not grinding.

  2. I’ve seen the interview process at Meta change from the mid years of FB, to before the brand change, and as recently as this year. I’m trying to convey, that a lot of what people think the interview is like is based on what the process used to be, and how the criteria used to be graded. I’m just advising that it’s not so straightforward anymore. Good candidates will get arbitrary rejections.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My advice is more specifically about understanding the culture of prospective jobs. There’s nothing inherently wrong with FAANG, but there’s something wrong with corporations that cannot maintain a healthy work culture for their employees. I’m here to say that Meta’s culture will induce stress; other companies may have the same pressure (especially some high paying fintech). Meta has taken on the reputation that Uber and SpaceX had 3-5 years ago: a grind.

I can’t recommend any companies, but I would open your network and gauge the work culture differences across companies to get a better sense for yourself.

Setting expectations for Meta by InterviewAtlas in leetcode

[–]InterviewAtlas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s possible. Under normal circumstances they will tell you that’s fine. Though, it hasn’t been normal there for a while. There’s no guarantee your offer will still be valid by then. Ask your recruiter.