FAQ

Is LeetCode still worth doing if I’m targeting a senior role after a layoff? Yes, but only as a warm‑up; the senior loop expects you to solve 1‑2 Hard problems in under 15 minutes and then pivot to a 45‑minute design.

Can I get a job at a FAANG without any system‑design experience? Only if the role’s interview track is “algorithm‑only”, such as Shopify’s Payments API Engineer (team of 12, < 10 k daily requests).

How do I negotiate compensation after a layoff when the market is volatile? Present your recent base (e.g., $190,000 at Uber) and equity (0.07 %) as a benchmark, ask for a sign‑on that matches the industry median for 2026 senior SWE ($30,000–$45,000), and request a higher equity grant (0.09 % at Google) tied to a 12‑month vesting acceleration.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWJQ2S3).