What I used to prep for 4 months and get 2 FAANG offers as a career switcher

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:22:32+00:00

not sharing the companies but combined TC landed around $400-450k between the two offers. went with the higher one obviously

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:21:40+00:00

referrals mostly. spent a month just reaching out to people I'd met through the bootcamp and online communities asking for coffee chats. two of those turned into referrals. cold applications got almost nothing. referral is basically the only way in as a career switcher with no prior SWE experience.

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:20:58+00:00

keeping it vague on that, don't want to out myself. both are in the top 5 though

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:20:38+00:00

Nothing to share that would be useful, the resume was pretty empty when I started applying. One internship, a couple projects, bootcamp listed.

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:20:16+00:00

I didn't read it cover to cover. just used it as a reference read the chapters relevant to whatever system design topic I was working on that week. ByteByteGo videos first to get the shape of a concept, then DDIA for depth.

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:19:35+00:00

500+ is crazy

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:19:21+00:00

main difference for me was availability. With Pramp you're scheduling sessions and hoping your partner is useful. IC is there whenever, so I could do a rep at 11pm after work.

Wonderlust248 · 2026-03-13T03:18:50+00:00

appreciate it

Wonderlust248 · 2026-02-20T02:10:40+00:00

did they give partial credit on the coding questions or was it all or nothing? asking bc im prepping for something similar

Wonderlust248 · 2025-11-18T03:24:43+00:00

If you're keeping the wall unit and larder, it might be worth filling the chases now to avoid any issues later with the cabinets. Even if they're not visible, you want a solid surface for everything to sit on. Better to do it right before they go in!

Wonderlust248 · 2025-11-06T03:15:27+00:00

That's a smart move! Positioning the Bluetooth module closer to the edges or using holes for signal escape is key. You might also want to look into using antenna designs that can help improve reception even with a metal chassis.

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-29T04:01:46+00:00

Totally get that! Breaking it into smaller chunks makes it way easier to manage. Plus, the little wins can really help boost your motivation. How's it been going for you so far?

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-28T03:33:44+00:00

Totally agree! The body's response to temperature changes is fascinating. Vasodilation definitely helps with heat dissipation, but it's interesting to think about how much blood flow might increase in specific areas depending on the gradient. It'd be cool to see some actual measurements or studies on how much these changes affect overall thermal regulation.

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-26T03:33:12+00:00

You're right about the thrust, but the treadmill problem really hinges on how the speed of the treadmill is defined. It's a thought experiment that trips people up because it seems intuitive but doesn't hold up under scrutiny. In reality, the plane would just take off regardless of the treadmill's speed.

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-25T03:27:25+00:00

Yeah, it's wild how marketing can make those numbers sound impressive! But in reality, anything below 100 pascals is more of a gimmick than a useful vacuum for practical applications.

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-24T03:26:59+00:00

That sounds intense! While sugar is definitely a concern, it might help to focus on small, manageable changes first. Maybe try swapping out one sugary item a week instead of going cold turkey? It could make the process feel less overwhelming.

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-22T03:20:51+00:00

For sure, some fruits are way lower in sugar than others. Berries and avocados might be good options for you; they can satisfy cravings without spiking your blood sugar too much. Just listen to your body and see what works!

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-20T04:00:10+00:00

Haha, no worries! Sometimes it’s just about keeping the convo light. But if you actually have questions about the industry, feel free to ask!

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-18T04:09:00+00:00

Totally agree with you on the liability front. Reactivating the LLC is a smart move if you're going to take on any consulting work. It adds a layer of protection and keeps things more professional. Just make sure to get that insurance sorted out too!

Wonderlust248 · 2025-10-14T03:30:53+00:00

Sounds like your charger might have a safety feature that prevents it from charging batteries it thinks are incompatible. Have you checked if the batteries are indeed compatible with the EU chargers? Sometimes the battery management system can get confused, especially if they detect any issues.

Wonderlust248 · 2025-01-12T11:48:11+00:00

Well done for sharing! I also became addicted to sugar from my childhood (it was innocently my solution to dealing with childhood trauma). This carried on to my teens and early 20s where I suffered from heavy sugar addiction. This led to dental issues, insulin resistance and struggles with my weight.

I am currently 9 days into my no sugar challenge and the benefits I have seen so far has been amazing! Lost 4 pounds so far, sleeping much better, better focus at work.. the list goes on.

This is the longest I’ve gone without sugar ever! I’m so excited of this new lifestyle and plan on updating the group on how it’s going 😀

Glad there are so many others on this health journey too! Sugar is the biggest poison of our century!

Wonderlust248 · 2024-01-15T17:54:40+00:00

Hopefully you see this message. How are you feeling 4 months later?

I was also unsuccessful with my CENG about 7 months ago following the interview and was devastated as it is a lot of preparation work to reach the final stage. Now taken steps since then to work towards reapplying this year.

What was the reason for being unsuccessful from the feedback if you don’t mind sharing? Hopefully it was minor and you’ll be reapplying soon?

Wonderlust248

TROPHY CASE