Five Tips to Crack the Front-end role at FAANG

Introduction

Yesterday I attended an amazing session organized by Showwcase on Discord and trust me it was a very helpful session. This session was focused on how someone can get a front-end role at FAANG-type big companies. I had a great time asking questions and getting insights from the amazing host Tapas Adhikary and the mentor Kapeel Kokane.

A lot of folks joined the session but some of them missed it due to different time zones, so I thought let's just create a summary of this session in some points so that everyone can read these amazing tips.

Building habits

• Building habits is an important part because it helps in building consistency. Consistency is the key to getting what you want, and it can only be achieved by developing good habits. One of the most effective ways Kapeel told us to build a habit is to choose a specific time to study. It can be any time that you find suitable for you but make sure you stick to it. This allows you to establish a routine that your brain can quickly adapt to.
• When we talk about building habits one of the most helpful books that come to mind is Atomic Habits. This book is filled with practical advice and insights into how habits are formed and how they can be changed.
• Another effective habit-building strategy is to finish the hardest task first and then focus on the rest of the tasks. This helps you avoid procrastination and builds momentum toward accomplishing other tasks.
• Finally, using to-do apps can help you create a list of important tasks to finish, making it easier to stay organized and focused on your goals.

Tech Productivity

• In today's digital age, it is easy to get distracted by social media apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, which can hinder productivity and focus. One way to avoid distractions is by not using such apps and staying mindful of their impact on our productivity.

• Instead, using a Pomodoro app can be an effective tool for managing time and staying focused. By breaking work into manageable intervals and taking regular breaks, one can maintain focus and avoid burnout.
• To keep track of tasks and maintain accountability, creating notes and using apps such as Notion can be helpful. These apps can help one organize tasks, track progress, and stay motivated.
• Additionally, newsletters can be a useful tool for staying updated on what's new in the tech industry. Unlike social media feeds, newsletters provide curated and specific information that is relevant to one's interests. By adopting these practices, one can stay focused, organized, and well-informed in their personal and professional life.

DSA Plays a big role

• In the world of tech interviews especially in FAANG-type companies, Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) play a crucial role in the hiring process.
• However, it is important to note that DSA is not just a means of clearing interviews but also an important tool for problem-solving and making oneself a better programmer.
• Some important topics to cover while studying DSA include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, sorting, searching, recursion, breadth-first search in graphs, and shortest path in graphs. These topics are essential in understanding the basics of DSA and will help in developing a solid foundation in programming.
• Solving DSA problems not only helps in interview preparation but also enhances one's problem-solving skills, making one a better programmer overall. Therefore, it is essential to approach DSA with a growth mindset and view it as a tool for self-improvement rather than just a means to an end. By adopting this approach and mastering the fundamentals of DSA, one can set themselves up for success in the tech industry.

A very helpful book you can use to learn DSA is "Competitive Programmer's Handbook", Here is the link to download it: https://github.com/pllk/cphb

Front-end

• When it comes to web development, it's not just about knowing HTML, CSS, or JS. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and developers need to have a learning mindset to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends.

• One technology that is currently in demand is React, and learning it can be a great choice for developers looking to enhance their skills and career prospects.
• To get started with web development and learning new technologies, it's important to choose a roadmap.
• It's important to remember that it's not about running behind different languages and technologies but rather focusing on one and mastering it. This will help in developing a deep understanding of the technology and building a strong foundation for future learning.
• By adopting a learning mindset and staying focused on their goals, developers can stay ahead of the curve and thrive in the constantly evolving tech industry.

A great resource to get roadmaps: https://roadmap.sh/

Checkout this amazing React roadmap created by Tapas and Kapeel on showwcase: https://www.showwcase.com/roadmap/8/react-the-complete-guide

Spice up your resume with these

• When it comes to creating a standout resume, there are several things that can make a big difference and can help you get ahead of the other candidates.
• One great way to spice up a resume is to "Learn in public" and share what you learn online. This could include writing blog posts, creating videos, or sharing code snippets on platforms like GitHub, Twitter, Showwcase, etc. By sharing their knowledge and expertise, developers can showcase their skills and build a personal brand that sets them apart from other candidates.
• Another important aspect of building a strong resume is networking and engaging with the developer community. Attending meetups, conferences, and hackathons can be great ways to make connections and learn from other professionals in the field.
• Contributing to open-source projects can be a powerful way to demonstrate one's skills and commitment to the development community. By making meaningful contributions to open-source projects, developers can build a portfolio of work that showcases their abilities and makes them stand out in the job market.

• By adopting these strategies and staying engaged with the developer community, developers can spice up their resumes and build the skills and connections they need to succeed in the tech industry.

A great resource to checkout: https://github.com/reactplay/react-play by Tapas Adhikary

Conclusion

In conclusion, developing good habits is critical to achieving consistency, productivity, and success in the fast-paced tech industry. Effective strategies, including choosing a specific time to study, prioritizing the hardest tasks, using to-do apps, avoiding distractions, and utilizing tools like Pomodoro and Notion, can help build these good habits. Additionally, mastering Data Structures and Algorithms, learning React, adopting a learning mindset, and engaging with the developer community can enhance your skills and your chances of getting into such big companies. Sharing knowledge and contributing to open-source projects can also create a standout resume and differentiate oneself from other candidates. By integrating these practices into daily routines, developers can position themselves for success in the ever-changing tech industry.