HACKER Q&A
📣 appleTreesGreen

Take a non-FAANG job or grind further


I was offered an L6 position at a non-FAANG company (public) in the Bay area that pays close to L5 level at a FAANG - 255K TC.

Should I take the job or continue grinding leetcode to try to get into FAANG? Biggest reservation I have with taking the job, is that any new position has a learning curve, and before I establish myself I won't be able to interview for another year or so.

I'm able to land senior roles at non-FAAANG companies as I am good at behavioral and systems design interviews (due to 9+y of experience) but not great at coding based algorithm questions, though I am getting better.

Champagne problems I know, but it is a pretty important decision to make.


  👤 theandrewbailey Accepted Answer ✓
Would this non-FAANG position be an improvement over where you are now? You didn't give any details about your current position.

Is it your dream to work at a FAANG? Or is it only to impress people?


👤 austincheney
Forget the fashion of FAANG and instead apply all other rational considerations to make the best decision that fits your personal condition.

👤 yuppie_scum
255k is a lot of damn money even in the bay. Go take it and live a fabulous life. Who gives a crap about FAANG if you’re getting paid.