🏹 Job Hunting Process
10 Steps of Software Engineer 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.
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Why I Need a LinkedIn Profile?
It is common for recruiters or hiring managers to initiate the hiring process by reaching out to job seekers they find on LinkedIn.
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.
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Knock Out Questions?
Knockout Questions focus on the essential requirements a candidate must meet for the position. These questions might ask if the candidate has a valid work visa, how far they live from the office, or their proficiency with specific tech stacks.
The hiring manager sets these key criteria, and the recruiter uses them during the initial call to screen out candidates who don’t meet the basic requirements.
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.
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Visit Leetcoding.io for the must-know Leetcode problems.
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.