Latest news with #TawfiqMohammad
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Google techie reveals how he got the job after 2 internships. It might be the ultimate playbook for breaking into big tech
In an industry where getting a foot in the door can feel more difficult than debugging legacy code, Google software engineer Tawfiq Mohammad's journey is fast becoming a masterclass in how to build a successful Big Tech career—starting as early as your first year in college. In an interview with YouTuber Sajjaad Khader, Mohammad shared his experience of interning at Google for two summers before securing a full-time role. He credits this early exposure and structured preparation as some of the most decisive factors in his career. 'I think one of the most important things I've done in my career, to date, is applying for these first- and second-year programs,' he said, highlighting how early-stage internships come with a relatively lower hiring bar. 'For example, they'll ask like a Leetcode easy instead of a Leetcode medium,' he pointed out, referencing the notorious technical interviews that many developers dread. From Chaos to Clarity: Tracking Applications Like a Pro But getting into Google wasn't just a matter of talent or timing—it was about strategy. Mohammad emphasized the importance of tracking applications rather than submitting resumes en masse and hoping for the best. 'It was very organized,' he said. 'I would update the status of each application, and it would help me a lot to prepare for each interview and for which stage I was at.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now His advice also included mastering patterns in coding problems rather than rote memorization. 'If you try to memorize it problem by problem, you'll eventually be given a problem that you don't know,' he cautioned. 'You just want to master the overarching principles.' Referrals and Realism: Getting a Boost from the Inside While hard work paid off, Mohammad was honest about the advantages he had. A referral from a family friend already working at Google helped him land an interview faster. 'I got an interview really soon after she submitted the referral,' he recalled. 'You want to try to separate yourself from everyone as much as you can.' You Might Also Like: What no one tells you about working at Google: 6 biggest lessons from a techie's experience Still, he made it clear that connections are only one piece of the puzzle. For those without a network, Mohammad recommends building one through independent learning and meaningful projects that demonstrate real-world skills. The Mindset Shift That Matters After landing the internship, Mohammad didn't treat the opportunity as just a resume booster. Instead, he focused on self-learning and becoming as independent as possible while still seeking mentorship when needed. 'You're smart enough to evaluate whether you're blocked,' he said. 'But try to solve your problems on your own. Just by doing that, you'll understand how all the systems fit together.' He also underlined the importance of learning from seasoned developers during internships. 'They're really smart, so you want to absorb as much information as you can from them,' he said in an earlier conversation with Business Insider. In a tech job market bruised by layoffs and flooded with competition, Mohammad's story serves as a timely reminder that a mix of strategy, self-study, and soft networking can still crack open the gates of Big Tech. His methods may not be universal, but they offer a framework—perhaps even a playbook—for students hoping to rise in the ranks of Silicon Valley giants. You Might Also Like: Google techie's viral post sparks debate on work-life balance in big tech. Netizen says, 'you get paid more than 40 LPA'
Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business Insider
A Google engineer's advice to computer science students: Go where the hiring bar is lower and get your foot in the door
Don't underestimate the potential advantage of a first or second-year program at a Big Tech giant. It could be your foot in the door to a full-time offer. A referral can also help, too. Google software engineer Tawfiq Mohammad interned at the company for two summers before receiving a full-time offer — and he suggests current computer science students try to do the same. "I think one of the most important things I've done in my career, to date, is applying for these first and second year programs," he said in an interview with YouTuber Sajjaad Khader. "Like I said, it's a first and second-year program for computer science students, and the hiring bar is much, much lower. For example, they'll ask like a Leetcode easy instead of a Leetcode medium," he added, referencing the technical interviews. It's no secret that entry-level coders have it rough right now compared to the hiring boom of the pandemic. The tech industry is still feeling the effects of the last few years' waves of layoffs, and the stress of shrinking opportunities is compounded by companies increasingly turning to AI to accomplish tasks human coders once did. To better your chances of clinching an internship, Mohammad said, tailor your résumé and track your applications. "I started tracking my applications for these internships as opposed to just mass applying and just like waiting for whatever comes into my inbox," he said. "So, it was very organized. I would update the status of each application and it would help me a lot to prepare for each interview and for which stage I was at in each interview." To get his internship at Google, Mohammad said he cleared one behavioral interview, followed by two technical screenings. To prepare for the latter, he advises students to learn the pattern of Leetcode questions, rather than focusing on memorizing individual problems. "If you try to memorize it problem by problem, you'll eventually be given a problem that you don't know," he said. "So you just want to master the overarching principles." Mohammad acknowledged that getting a referral from his father's friend, who was already employed at Google, likely helped his chances. If getting a recommendation is within reach, he suggests applicants do what they can to secure one. "I think that really helped me get my foot in the door in the application process," he said. "I got an interview really soon after she submitted the referral. You want to try to separate yourself from everyone as much as you can when you're applying for these internships." And if you just can't seem to get an internship in this brutal job market, try to start learning critical skills on your own time by taking on projects, he added. Then, you'll have more to list on your résumé that could make you a more attractive applicant. "I think the best way to learn these basic computer science fundamentals is really just like doing things on your own," he said. If and when things eventually do work out, Mohammad suggests being as independent as possible. Ask for help when you need it, but the more problems you solve on your own, the more you're likely to learn. "You're smart enough to evaluate whether you're blocked," he said. "And if you're really, really blocked, at a certain point, obviously, then you should ask for help. But try to solve your problems on your own. Just by solving the problems on your own, you'll understand how all the systems fit together, how things run, and eventually you'll start helping people with your expertise." In an earlier interview with BI, Mohammad said interns should try to "learn as much as possible" from their more experienced colleagues. After all, they were likely once in a similar place. " They're really smart, so you want to absorb as much information as you can from them," Mohammad told BI.
