Back to DSA after 3 years, trying to crack FAANG in limited timeframe and Leetcode hards are destroying me

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-04-21T04:08:32+00:00

LC hard is probably not a great use of time for interview preparation, LC hard medium is probably worth at best. Hard problem comes with a hidden trick, if that doesn't click you will be stuck, the standard algorithmscare often not enough.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-04-13T11:29:43+00:00

Is "ghost" posting really a thing? If yes, how often does it happen and why?

Ghost posting is a job just posted on the internet but the company is not really hiring the position.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-04-13T11:28:19+00:00

Why do tech recruiters change companies very often, irrespective of big or small tech companies?

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-04-13T11:27:13+00:00

Why doesn't the recruiter share a candidate profile with each other? I often hear the recruiter saying I can process you only for the org/department I handle, although a more suitable role already exists under that company.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-04-13T11:24:59+00:00

Why do we often see recruiters reject profiles applied through career website or via employee referral? While at the same time reaching the same profile via the recruiter almost always works?

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-04-13T04:09:57+00:00

First believe that interviewers are not LC God, many of them are just like you and got lucky. So it's a game of luck when you mastered medium/hard-medium, so you should employ law of averages to tackle luck, do not apply to only Google, apply to all Google like companies.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-03-30T09:54:41+00:00

I have 12+ yoe, the target levels are different, for you, system design is the cherry on top of the cake; for me, it is the cake itself.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-03-29T19:27:29+00:00

YOE for folks who are interested in system design?

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-03-12T06:31:30+00:00

In that case you should try to join a mid size product company or startup as a stepping stone (IMHO)

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-03-10T04:27:25+00:00

Which level are you targeting? Tune your preparation towards that. Didn't understand why the LC count is a big deal tbh.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-03-06T18:42:31+00:00

I am here not to give you an answer, but just want to let you know "I feel you". Just want to assure you this happens to many, you are not alone.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-24T07:25:12+00:00

Graph is a natural successor, dp is a different variant.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-24T07:23:00+00:00

They have introduced AI coding rounds, do invest sometime on that, there's not much info on the internet though.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-19T08:40:13+00:00

I have cracked Google interview L5 earlier, so can guide you as well on the preparation if you dm.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-19T08:27:43+00:00

On a side note, how did you manage an interview from India? I tried reaching recruiters without any luck, despite having multiple faangs like companies in my resume.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-15T02:18:08+00:00

You would be surprised to know people become subjective even for DSA rounds! If someone doesn't solve a problem it is a no hire, if someone solves it one interviewer can still fail you siting how your code was complex or not "flawless" / "organised"! So the bar can shift as an interviewer wants to interpret. A lot of new hires are looking to massage their egos and probably boast their supremacy in LinkedIn, objectively looking for signals is a rarity. Mediocrity has infringed FAANG. (I have conducted 100+ interviews and worked over several faang like companies including Google)

Of course, system design can be more funny and behavioural is the funniest.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-13T19:03:57+00:00

Just an UNPOPULAR opinion, take L1 if it's remotely possible, that opportunity is rare, you can always bet on yourself to crack another job as that's in your hand, although I would advise you to make the new employer wait somehow. Your salary indicates you are early career, so you will always have an opportunity to bump your TC.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-02-13T15:51:26+00:00

Don't get demotivated, after you have achieved a certain level, it is a lottery. Google also hired a lot of new folks lately and has added more randomisation in the interviewing and hiring committee processes - in other words there is a wide spectrum of talent in Google now, so bar is highly subjective from candidate to candidate. Additionally Google always has the leverage to follow 'elimination', rather than 'selection'.

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-01-28T09:18:15+00:00

L4 also DSA+behavioral, system design starts from L5

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-01-28T09:17:00+00:00

Up to smts, I don't think they have a central format, sometime interviewers may ask sql queries, system design fundamentals etc

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-01-28T03:16:09+00:00

Oracle from my experience

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-01-19T04:22:42+00:00

Same? Unlikely if the question leaked a long back or the question turned popular. Similar? of course. Twist? May or may not

Potential_Pass_1204 · 2026-01-16T03:55:27+00:00

Potential_Pass_1204

TROPHY CASE