Is the Effort to Crack MAANG+ Interviews Really Worth It?
The real cost of failing MAANG+ interviews
Hey, Prasad here 👋 I'm the voice behind the weekly newsletter "Big Tech Careers."
Welcome to this week's article, in which I share why investing ~6 months for clearing MAANG+ interviews is worth it!
If you like the article, click the ❤️ icon. That helps me know you enjoy reading my content.
I’m excited to announce that Maven has chosen Big Tech Interview Preparation workshop for one of their top “Fast Track” courses!
As a result, Maven is offering 25% discount! Offer ends on Sunday!
Here’s what you’ll gain:
✅ Proven frameworks to ace the behavioral interviews at MAANG+ companies.
✅ Strategies to land roles at Amazon, Google, Microsoft & more
✅ Live sessions, mock interviews, and personalised feedback
🗓️ cohort: Dec 14–22, 2024
Spots are limited, so grab yours to avail the discount!
Successfully clearing MAANG+ interviews is at least 6 months process if not more.
For most people, it takes more than one attempt to clear MAANG+ interviews. I know a person who cleared their AWS interview in their third attempt.
I was lucky enough to clear the AWS interview in my first attempt. And as I always say, luck favors those who are prepared.
In this article, we will focus on 2 things:
Is the amount of effort/time/money spent on preparing for MAANG+ interviews worth it?
How can I help you prepare so that luck favours you?
Why Investing 6 Months in MAANG+ Prep Pays Off Big Time!
Absolutely. It puts your career trajectory on a fast track. The effort invested in preparing for MAANG+ interviews pays significant dividends:
Potential for substantially higher compensation
Often people 2-3x their salary at the time of joining a MAANG+ company or within a few years of joining because of the stock component provided by these companies.
MAANG+ companies often offer compensation packages that significantly outpace industry standards, with base salaries ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 for senior employees. Total compensation can easily exceed $300,000 when considering stock options, performance bonuses, and equity grants.
We will dive into equity grants in of the future article and why that alone makes all the efforts worthwhile.
Scale and Impact you make
If I talk about my experience here, within a year of joining AWS, I was working on projects that had a global impact. This level of scale and impact I had never seen in my 10+ career before joining AWS.
The experience is similar for most people working at MAANG+ as you see this screenshot from blind thread.
Career-accelerating brand recognition
Working at a MAANG+ company instantly elevates a professional's career trajectory, providing unparalleled credibility in the tech ecosystem.
The brand recognition associated with these tech giants opens numerous doors, making professionals instantly attractive to recruiters and hiring managers across the industry.
This career boost extends beyond immediate employment, creating lasting networks of top-tier professionals and providing access to alumni connections that can prove invaluable throughout your career.
The prestige of having worked at these companies can accelerate career progression, offering opportunities for faster advancement and more challenging, innovative roles.
How MAANG+ Interviews Make You a Stronger Professional
The interview preparation and process at MAANG+ companies represent a comprehensive personal and professional growth journey.
I remember when I completed my AWS interview loop (a set of 5 interviews in one day) after 8 weeks of preparation, I was exhausted. But the feeling was,
"I don't care about the outcome. It doesn't matter if they select or reject me. I learned a lot during the process. Overall, it improved my technical, communication, and storytelling skills”
Candidates are challenged to develop advanced problem-solving techniques, learn to articulate complex technical concepts with clarity, and build resilience in high-pressure scenarios.
The skills acquired during this process—ranging from deep technical knowledge to nuanced communication strategies—prove valuable regardless of the immediate interview outcome, transforming the preparation itself into a significant professional development opportunity.
I’m here to help - Big Tech Interview Preparation Workshop
As I mentioned, I was lucky enough to clear the AWS interview in my first attempt.
While individual experiences vary, the difference between people clearing MAANG+ interviews on their first try versus several attempts is preparation.
Preparation is the key to turning "luck" into a predictable outcome.
And in my experience, most people fail MAANG+ interviews, especially at mid/senior levels, not because of technical or functional skills but because they struggle to communicate their impact effectively.
Most candidates underestimate the preparation required for behavioral interviews.
Ask any experienced interviewer at MAANG+ why candidates fail their interviews.
Their #1 reason is consistent:
💡 Smart technical professionals who can't clearly articulate their past work. They ramble too much, miss the main points, and can't explain their decision-making process.
This is the reason I created the Big Tech Interview Preparation Workshop for Tech ICs and Leaders.
And to my surprise, the Maven platform found this workshop so useful that they added it to their FAST TRACK and are providing 25% discount on the course.
The course is trending #1 in Maven’s engineering career growth category.
In this workshop, I'll share my systematic approach to crafting compelling stories, delivering high-impact responses, and consistently impressing hiring managers across multiple rounds of interviews.
What is the Workshop Syllabus/Schedule?
Day 1 [Saturday, December 14th]
Day 2 [Sunday, December 15th]
Day 3 - Day 7 [Monday, December 14th - Friday, December 15th]
It's will be practice, practice and practice.
It’s a very hands-on workshop. You’ll be writing your own introductions and STAR format stories and practicing them with the group.
All sessions during weekdays are optional. All sessions will be recorded and shared with the participants.
Day 8 [Saturday, December 21st]
Day 9 [Sunday, December 22nd]
Don't let your next big opportunity pass by. Take charge of your future and secure your place at a MAANG+ company today!
Join the workshop and take the first step toward your MAANG+ career.
Read the full details of workshop here - https://maven.com/prasad-rao/big-tech-interview-workshop.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Do the Math
If you’re earning $120K today, imagine doubling that in a year. Imagine tripling it in three. That’s the power of MAANG+.
But the journey requires preparation, strategy, and commitment. Let’s make 2025 the year you rewrite your career story.
Not sure yet if this workshop is right for you? Want to have a quick 15 mins 1:1 connect to clarify any doubts about the workshop?
Here is how you can contact me:
Send me an email on bigtechcareers@gmail.com
Ping me on the substack app
DM me on LinkedIn