> It’s a common thought among my circles that interviewing is the hardest part of being a software engineer - once you’re in somewhere it’s a lot easier

I’ve heard a similar sentiment from my circles too. But lately

I’ve also met people for whom it’s the exact opposite: they can clear the first round of the interview and they fail in the subsequent design rounds (which in my opinion are a lot less challenging)

I’ve also met people who manage to get hired but are soon overwhelmed with the real work that they have to do and some even get pip’d