Hey, I’m Alex. I’ve been a front-end software engineer for 3 years, mainly working with TypeScript and Angular. Previously, I was working at Google and Microsoft.  

How Did You Get Into Software Engineering?

Like many engineers, software engineering wasn’t something I’ve always dreamed about. In fact, I didn't touch my first line of code until junior year. I was studying pre-med until I realized it wasn’t for me, so I explored other fields like investment banking and product management.

It was only when I took a Python course that I really enjoyed it. It wasn't easy, I remember scoring a 60 on an exam when the class average was 87. But I kept going because it was fun for me –  I’d read technical concepts and watch videos of coding projects. That’s when I felt it could be a career for me. 

I pivoted to Computer Science in my third year of college. But as a junior, it was humbling for me to be in a class full of freshmen, and I definitely felt like I was behind and late to the game. 

Did Coding Come Naturally to You?

I had wondered if some coders are naturally gifted, but it wasn't my case. I had to take 1-1 courses for Python as I couldn’t understand the fundamental concepts. It was something I had to grind.

Did You Have Internships in Software Engineering?

Because I started Computer Science late, I spent most of my summer on self-studying courses and didn't have the chance to find an internship. Not going to lie, I was worried about not having internship experiences or big tech companies on my resume. 

But while taking the courses, I'd focused on project-building courses over theory courses. I'd build projects like note-taking apps to put on my resume. I didn’t think it was important to distinguish if it was a side project or not, but showed that I understood the concepts. 

Tell us How Did You Land Your Job at Amazon

I started cold applying as I didn't have a job lined up after graduation. I was lucky to get a few interviews, but after 3-4 companies that didn't want to give me a chance, Amazon put me through the loop. It was after many trials and errors that I felt like I'd met the bar and understood the interviewing process.

Tell us About Your Interview Experience at Different Big Tech Companies

Surprisingly, the foundation, knowledge, and interviewing skills acquired can be applied interchangeably between companies. The interview process for Microsoft and Amazon felt similar, and it didn’t take extra effort for me to prepare for the interview at Microsoft. 

What Do You Think Made You Stand Out In The Interviews?

I think it was just persistence and practice. It wasn’t about having a bigger brain but being more dedicated to the problem and thinking about it longer. There’s a misconception that we need to solve all problems on our own, but what helped was asking my peers and learning from seniors. 

I also think it’s important for companies to know how you fit into the team and your ability to work well with others. When you’re a student grinding on LeetCode, oftentimes we'll forget about the behavioral portion. 

How Did You Prepare For Interviews?

With every interview experience or rejection, I would think long and hard about where I fell short. I’d write down what went well and what I could have done better. The key message here is to reflect on each interview and treat it like an iterative process.

Another advice is to simulate the interview environment to be comfortable with it. You want to focus on presenting yourself instead of stressing over the micro things like “Oh wait, I’m not used to coding on a Word doc”.

How Did Working at Amazon Change Your Experience?

Working at Amazon opened me to opportunities at similar big tech companies. Once I updated my LinkedIn with Amazon, there were a lot of recruiters from other big tech companies like Microsoft in my inbox. 

What’s different now is that when I started as a new grad, I was very excited for the first opportunity and would be willing to take any opportunity. I think now I get the chance to be a bit more selective. 

Since working for a year, I have a better understanding of what working in a team looks like and specific things I like and dislike in a role. 

What Advice Would You Give to Your Younger Self?

I'd say to talk out loud during the coding interview. We get nervous when the interviewer doesn’t respond, but that doesn’t mean we should remain silent. Also, write down what you say to make it clear to you and the interviewer. Those bullet points are a form of communication that will never hurt and almost always help you in any interview setting.