🏹 Job Hunting Process

Resume & LinkedIn Profile

• Your resume and LinkedIn profile are key for the job hunting in US regardless of your experience level.
• Start by perfecting your resume, then use it to build your LinkedIn profile. This will save time and effort.

Apply

• Apply to open positions using various methods: inbound, outbound, or referral.
• Instead of applying to all open positions at once, prioritize and start with less preferred companies to gain interview experience.

Recruiter Call

• This brief call, usually lasting less than 30 minutes, takes place after your resume passes the screening or if a recruiter finds you on LinkedIn.
• You’ll encounter standard questions and must pass the Knockout Questions to move forward.

OA (Online Assessment)

• While some companies may skip this step, it’s typically used to evaluate a candidate’s technical skills and problem-solving abilities before the final interview round.
• Assessments can involve coding tests, mini-projects, pair programming, or quizzes.
• The purpose is to determine if you’re a strong enough candidate to move on to the final stage.

Hiring Manager Interview

• This interview may occur before the Online Assessment or be included in the final round.
• It focuses on your background, experience, and technical skills to assess your fit for the role.
• The level of technical questioning can vary based on the hiring manager’s expertise.
• The interview usually lasts around an hour.

Live Coding Interview

• A key part of the final round of interviews.
• Usually includes coding challenges focused on algorithms and data structures, though the format can vary by company.
• Questions are often similar to Leetcode problems, and the interview may sometimes take the form of a pair programming session.

System Design Interview

• For junior software engineers, this interview might be replaced with a live coding session.
• It evaluates your ability to design systems and your overall technical knowledge.
• The importance of this interview increases with your level of experience.
• The session usually involves discussions with the interviewer, often using basic drawing tools to illustrate your ideas.

Behavioral Interview

• This interview focuses on assessing your cultural fit and alignment with the company’s values.
• It’s not always a standalone interview and might be integrated into the hiring manager or team interviews.

Offer Negotiation

• Once you receive an offer, this is your chance to negotiate salary, stock options, and your start date.
• Holding multiple offers can strengthen your negotiating position.
• Companies might conduct reference checks before finalizing the offer.

Final Decision

• The process concludes when you sign the offer letter, complete necessary paperwork, and finalize your start date.
• Keep in mind that job offers can occasionally be withdrawn, particularly during times of widespread layoffs.