How I Became a Software Engineer Without a CS Degree | My Journey to Landing my Dream Job at TikTok

💡I learned coding without a CS degree by using free resources like freeCodeCamp and Udemy. Building personal projects helped me gain practical experience.

🔑For interview preparation, I recommend solving LeetCode problems, grokking the coding interview, and practicing mock interviews on interviewing.io and pramp.

💼Referrals are crucial for getting noticed in the job application process. Reach out to alumni or professionals working in your target companies for referral opportunities.

📝Tailor your resume to highlight your skills and impact. Avoid common resume mistakes and seek professional advice to make it stand out in the competitive tech industry.

🏢Working at TikTok offers competitive salaries, great benefits like Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, free meals, and gym reimbursement. Join my team at TikTok by connecting with me on LinkedIn.

How did you learn coding without a CS degree?

—I used free resources like freeCodeCamp and Udemy to learn JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Building personal projects helped me gain practical coding experience.

What tips do you have for interview preparation?

—Solve LeetCode problems, grok the coding interview, and practice mock interviews on interviewing.io and pramp. This will help you familiarize yourself with coding patterns and improve your problem-solving skills.

How important are referrals in the job application process?

—Referrals can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. Reach out to alumni or professionals working in your target companies for referral opportunities.

How can I make my resume stand out in the competitive tech industry?

—Tailor your resume to highlight your skills, impact, and projects. Avoid common resume mistakes and seek professional advice to make it unique and compelling.

What are the benefits of working at TikTok?

—Working at TikTok offers competitive salaries, great benefits like Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, free meals, and gym reimbursement. Connect with me on LinkedIn for referral opportunities to join my team at TikTok.

00:00Introduction to the video and overview of the content.

05:00Explanation of how the creator learned coding without a CS degree using free resources and building personal projects.

10:30Tips for interview preparation, including solving LeetCode problems, using resources like grokking the coding interview, and practicing mock interviews.

20:00Importance of referrals in the job application process and strategies to get referrals from alumni or professionals in target companies.

30:00Advice on resume building, including tailoring it to highlight skills, impact, and projects to stand out in the competitive tech industry.

40:00Overview of the interview process at TikTok, including the number of interviews, coding and system design interviews, and the difference in scheduling compared to other tech companies.

50:00Explanation of the timeline and duration of the interview process, from initial contact to offer stage.

55:00Insights into salary progression and total compensation, including personal experience and comparison with industry averages.

01:00:00Discussion of the benefits of working at TikTok, including Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, free meals, and gym reimbursement.

01:05:00Answers to common questions about apartment rent, salary at TikTok, and referral opportunities to join the creator's team.

01:10:00Conclusion and invitation for viewers to leave comments or suggestions for future videos.