MAANG interview do's and don'ts

To crack the MAANG interviews, you need to be prepared very well with technical and non-technical skills.

You must have the right interview preparation plan and strategies for cracking the interview along with good quality learning resources.

Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google are the dream employers for all college tech graduates. But, the competence here is huge. These top-notch companies attract hundreds of thousands of applicants annually.

To get results in your MAANG interview, you must be very well prepared. In this article, we provide you with help for your better preparation. We’ve listed below what to do and what not to do before and during the interview:

See also: FAANG interview preparation - A complete step-by-step guide to crack FAANG interview

Overview:

• DO’S Before the interview
• DO’S at the interview
• DON’TS before the interview
• DON’TS at the interview

1. DO’S Before the interview:

1.1 Prepare your professional resume

Your resume is your very first contact with the interviewer. And the only way to make a good impression and be called for an interview. Be clear, concise, and honest in your resume. Make a good first impression through your professional resume.

1.2 Do research about the company and the job title

Look at the company, at what they do. Get excited about the mission of the company. Understand what you can offer them. Match what they need with what you do and what you love.

1.3 Learn the company interview process

Interviewing is a skill that has to be learned. You must know how to show your skills and knowledge in the way interviewers like it. MAANG companies have a standardized interview process, but there are some differences at different companies.

1.4 Work on required Analytical and Soft-Skills.

Soft Skills comprise all the positive qualities of one’s personality. There could be as many as fifty easily identifiable Soft Skills. Work on at least the following 10 Soft skills: effective communication skills, interpersonal skills, analytical ability, positive thinking, time management, goal settings, innovative thinking, enthusiasm, personal hygiene, and learning skill.

1.5 Work on required tech skills

Practice technical questions. The technical part includes coding questions - data structure and algorithms - hash tables, binary search trees, sorting algorithms, heaps, etc., and system design questions. Do a lot of practice. Focus on quality. If you are not able to move ahead with a problem, come back to it a day later.

1.6 Do mock interviews

Mock interviews are a must before the real thing. It is the best option for your FAANG interview preparation. With mock interviews, you can analyze your technical and conversational skills. You have enough space to commit mistakes and learn from them. We recommend you to join Interviewhelp.io, the best platform for your mock interviews.

2. DO’s at the interview:

2.1 Answer the interview questions in a STAR method

Prepare a collection of STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) accomplishments, with data-driven, verifiable achievements. Get them in a spreadsheet. Make a two to 3-minute pitch for each one that gives some details but leaves a tasty hook for follow-up questions.

2.2 Listen and respond accordingly

Listening is just as important as answering questions. To be able to give the best responses you must listen carefully because if you’re not paying attention, you will not be able to respond accordingly.

2.3 Show the knowledge and ability to handle all the required tech tasks

Below are the three critical things you need to do at a minimum, in a technical part at FAANG interviews:

2.3.1 Show a powerful command over data structures and algorithms.

Ask the interviewer questions before you start brainstorming solutions. This is crucial. When you walk through the examples above, clarify things like:

1. Is the array sorted?
2. Is the graph directed?
3. Can the graph have cycles?
4. Can the input array be empty?
5. Is the Tree a Binary Search Tree or a Binary Tree?
6. And of course, more specific questions relevant to the problem.

Look for improvements in your algorithm. For example: “Are you repeating recursive calls which can be memorized to improve performance?”

2.3.2 Show that you have a deep understanding of Operating Systems concepts

Make sure that you can draw and explain your solutions in 40–45 minutes.

2.3.3 Show that you are good with database systems and Object-oriented programming concepts.

When the interviewer asks you to explain OOP concepts, tell one at a time and then explain what it means. To illustrate the concept, give a real-world example and then explain how to implement it using a language you know. Do not just list them out.

2.4 Be confident

For confidence at MAANG interviews, and any other interviews too, practice good posture, eye contact, and breathing techniques. Also, you have to practice your handshake, to talk slowly, and to calm fidgeting.

2.5 Be ready to get into details, deep.

In this part, you must show honesty! Tell your story and try to leave a positive impression through it.

2.6 Ask questions

Ask questions when the interviewer gives you a chance to do that or towards the end of the interview. This shows that you are interested in the job.

2.7 Dress properly

First impressions matter. The way you present yourself to an interview, tells a lot about yourself. How much do you respect yourself by being clean, perfumed, and tidy. How much do you respect the interviewer and the company you are applying to. It isn’t necessary to wear an Armani suit, but showing up having taken care of your appearance shows your interest to make a good impression. That is as important as choosing the right clothes.

Check if the company you are applying to has the dress code. The dress code can vary in different companies. We recommend men to wear a suit, and women to consider a pantsuit or skirt suit if the dress code is formal.

3. DON’TS before the interview:

3.1 Shake off the toxic mindset

Don’t be a part of the legions of folks that want to get a magic high-paying job and a big company, and that think that they need a step-by-step magic formula to hack the process and get the big bucks. You must get rid of that thinking and think about what you can offer the company and if your needs and the company’s needs are matching.

3.2 Don’t focus on quantity instead of quality while practicing

Practice a lot of coding and system design interview questions. As much as you can. But don’t focus only on quantity. Instead of that, focus on quality. Make sure that you can draw and explain your solutions in 40–45 minutes.

4. DON’TS at the interview:

4.1 Don’ts speak over the interviewer

It shows that you are a good listener and a good talker. Don’t talk too much and always wait for your interviewer to finish speaking first and then start with your answering. It shows that you have respect and strong interpersonal skills.

4.2 Don’t steal a story

Do not never, never lie or steal a story. The interviewers are trained to sniff out credit-stealers, so you will be rejected and blacklisted from future interviews. The recruiting world is small and people talk. Don’t be that person.

4.3 Don’t speak poorly about your past employers

Never do that. Because your interviewer will presume that if you do this to your past employer, you will do it to them too. It’s unprofessional.

4.4 Do not be afraid of rejection (learn from your experiences)

Learn from your past interview experiences. You will always have the next interview, and a new chance to apply what you have learned from your mistakes. Show the best of yourself and never be afraid of rejection.

For further interview guidance and additional interview pieces of advice, join Interviewhelp.io. It will save you a lot of time in your interview preparation.