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Comment by angoragoats | Hacker News Reader

FWIW you do not have to do leetcode to get a job. I’m a staff level SWE and I’ve had no problems finding non-leetcode companies, both through my own network and through browsing job listings.

I have literally never done a leetcode “whiteboard code this random problem that has nothing to do with our actual work” interview, in 25+ years in the industry.

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Do you make FAANG-tier money though?

It’s not hard to make equivalent (or higher) base, but you just lose out on the stock

> just

Or you can just learn a handful of puzzle patterns in exchange for more job opportunities that would have the potential for higher overall pay. Seems like a fair trade to me.

This is a good way to frame it. I have no issue with people who choose to do this, but I choose not to.

It just feels obstinate to me. Most people will jump through all sort of bureaucratic/performative hoops when they're in a job to keep it or angle for promotions/minor raises, but this one that has a much higher average RoI turns them off. If you put your foot down on that sort of thing too then fair enough I suppose.

I have been told that I’m obstinate before :)

To be fair though, I don’t really want a Big Tech job. Several of the FAANGs, especially Facebook, are morally objectionable to me and I would switch careers before working for them. Most others have shitty working conditions with in-office policies, open office layouts, etc, that are detrimental to me getting work done.

So it’s not just about the financial RoI for me.

And I think I’m at least consistent: I’ve never been one to jump through hoops for raises or promotions either.

No, I don't, assuming you're looking at total comp including stock.

I also don't have crazy hours, stack ranking, mandatory RTO, 6 different levels of OKRs, and all the other bullshit that comes along with a FAANG job.

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