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Ask HN: What are the ways to utilize 6 months to land a job at Google/Facebook?

5 pointsby kp25almost 11 years ago
I completed my undergrad in May 2014. Being passionate about web designing, apart from designing College Tech-Fest websites haven&#x27;t done any great projects so far. Not really a great GPA, Not well versed with the DS&#x2F;Algorithms, really poor at Topcoder,Codeforces Hackathons. Undertook two Coursera courses, thought of like, i have done great after getting 90% and distinction in both of them but going through them once again after 6 months feels like I just mugged up those things and somehow managed to get those results just to show off. So Even Online courses just doesn&#x27;t help me. To simply describe about me in one line, I&#x27;m a complete noob at everything,and i feel dejected.<p>Now coming to terms of technical background.. good at Cpp, Python, Javascript.. Not really a pro again, Just syntax, few library functions, no projects again.<p>What to focus on..? To get a good job..?? I am just going through all the possibilities&#x2F;ways i have right at the moment. I would like to discuss these things with you people and please suggest me what would be the better choice. I love each of them<p>Option 1: Get good at Coding Competitions&#x2F;Hackathons. Facebook HackerCup, Google Code Jam, Codesprints are the three things that will help me in getting my resume noticed by Top Companies. <i>I am poor at DS&#x2F;Algorithms, Gonna learn them</i><p>Option 2: Get really good at Web Designing, Design a portfolio of all my designs, blog about my design projects. Do Freelancing to earn few bucks, Build the resume. Then search for all the open FrontEnd positions.<p>Option 3: Learn Python, Javascript. Get good at them. ( I love both the languages). Learn Frameworks like Nodejs, Django and again repeat option 2, now i&#x27;m in backend too.<p>Option 4: Learn a Language, Do projects, Do open source, Wait for an oppurtunity<p>Google?Facebook? Yeah.. It doesn&#x27;t matter if it is impossible or really a challenging task. Aim High,Set the bar even higher..

4 comments

DanielStraightalmost 11 years ago
All of your options can be condensed to two words:<p>Learn. Do.<p>Which is exactly what you need to do, so go do it. I would just add one step: Show. Learn how to do awesome things, do them, then show them to interested people. You say you&#x27;re passionate about design, so start there. Do a complete redesign of a site you use but don&#x27;t like the design of. Post it on HN. People will notice and talk.
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27182818284almost 11 years ago
You sorta got into this with your last line, but why Google and Facebook? Are they simply only the names of companies you know off the top of your head? In other words, why wasn&#x27;t Microsoft or Apple on the list? Or another great company?<p>&gt;Not really a great GPA, Not well versed with the DS&#x2F;Algorithms, really poor at Topcoder,Codeforces Hackathons.<p>Right, well, that&#x27;s going to be a little more difficult then. I didn&#x27;t see this the first time reading through.
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dangrossmanalmost 11 years ago
Easiest way in is to enroll in a masters program, then apply for student internships. The hiring barrier for interns is much lower than for FTEs, and a good internship will almost definitely turn into a full-time offer pending graduation.
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joehallalmost 11 years ago
You should probably get a job (any job) if you don&#x27;t already have one. All the skills in the world don&#x27;t equal work experience.
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