Doesn't have to be a FAANG to do something impactful. Many of the other Tech 100 companies have things that you can work on at scale that are fulfilling. I work at a semiconductor company on projects that end up in almost everything, and I love what I do.

The interview process was fine compared to the horror stories I've heard. I had 1 long interview with the manager, then 6 short (30 min) interviews back-to-back with the team over the course of an afternoon. A couple of technical questions but nothing rediculous. They hired me based on credentials, so the tests were ceremonial if anything. It was more about discovering whether I would get on socially with the team.

FAANG is mostly 3 steps. 1. chat with the recruiter 2. screening interview 3. on-site interview

You normally get an offer after 3.

EDIT: I'm downvoted, but this was my experience at Google/Facebook. There were exactly three steps. There can be more if they ask a follow up if you're borderline in some of the interviews but it's not the default.

What about the team-matching portion of the Google interview? I had several post-"onsite" (it was all remote) interviews with interested teams and your performance in these can sink your chances.

Maybe their process has changed at some point? recently, a recruiter told me that they now match with teams based on resume before starting the interview process.

Were your post-onsite technical?

My experience was FAANG was dragging their feet but another massive tech company hired me in 3. They make a decision if they want you almost immediately based on your experience. If the answer is no they'll keep your in the pipeline just in case. Your first year is the real interview IMO.

Don't know about Facebook specifically, but for Google and Microsoft, if you let the recruiter know you're actively interviewing and considering other offers, the process speeds up real fast.

For me the recruiter went on holiday and by the time they came back I had a new job lol

I spent a couple months grinding LC before I got my FAANG offers and honestly it was completely worth it, I’m sort of surprised when people feel the opposite.

At the end of the day it’s a couple hundred hours of effort in exchange for years worth of upside. I think when you compare it to the amount of preparation athletes, performers, or service members go through, it really doesn’t seem so bad.

Big part of that then is testing your willingness to servitude.