#181 - Meta Tech Lead Secrets: Breaking into FAANG, Big Salaries, and Career Growth with Rahul

In this episode, I’m joined by Rahul Pandey, a former tech lead at Meta and co-founder of JoinTaro, a platform for ambitious software developers.

Rahul shares his transparent insights on working in big tech, including the reality of big salaries in FAANG companies and what it’s really like behind the scenes.

You can connect with Rahul on LinkedIn.

BONUS ALERT 👇

Don't miss out on this course I made for JoinTaro about breaking into tech as an outsider which is FREE for a limited time: https://www.jointaro.com/course/break-into-tech-and-become-a-software-engineer/

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Chapters

• 1:05 Rahul’s background at Meta
• 1:35 Bonus for listeners: Free course on JoinTaro and discount to Parsity.
• 2:20 How Rahul broke into big tech and what drew him to work at companies like Meta.
• 3:45 Rahul’s experience at Stanford and the importance of peer networks.
• 5:45 Challenges for bootcamp grads vs. traditional graduates in big tech job searches.
• 8:30 Rahul’s advice on reframing the conversation for job seekers.
• 10:15 The importance of communication and collaboration in technical interviews.
• 18:05 Rahul discusses salaries at Meta and his peak total compensation.
• 23:05 The impact of big tech scale on salary and contributions at companies like Meta.
• 28:05 Rahul explains how big tech companies like Google hire engineers just to sideline them.
• 31:45 Why working at big tech helps build credibility and the importance of pedigree.
• 34:20 Addressing concerns about AI, layoffs, and the future of tech jobs.
• 36:00 Rahul’s advice for developers: Work forward from promising situations, not rigid objectives.
• 38:15 Closing thoughts on creating your own luck and finding Rahul online.