FAANG companies: entry process and requirements

FAANG is a term formed from the initials of Facebook (now Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google (Alphabet). Today it is often used in the form of MAANG. Below is the engineer selection process of three major companies.

Google

The process usually consists of five stages: resume selection, online application, technical phone interview, a set of main interviews (4-6 rounds) and finally the hiring committee - a committee of engineers who have not seen the candidate makes a decision. The starting engineer level is called L3.

Rounds will include coding, code comprehension, system architecture for experienced candidates and Googleyness & Leadership. The company estimates the process to take 6–8 weeks, but in practice it can take 2–3 months due to the team matching stage.

Meta

It often starts with an online assignment, followed by a recruiter and technical phone interview, followed by a main stage with four rounds: one traditional coding, one AI-assisted coding, one design, and one behavioral interview. Entry levels are E3 and E4.

Amazon

At Amazon, the 16 Leadership Principles are at the heart of the process. The online task consists of two algorithmic problems, a work simulation and a work style questionnaire. There are 4-5 rounds in the main stage: algorithms, system or object-oriented design depending on the level, behavioral questions related to principles. One of the interviews involves a "Bar Raiser" - an interviewer from another team who is responsible for maintaining quality standards.

General requirements

The top three are the same at all three companies: algorithms and data structure, system design (increasing weightage as level increases), and behavioral conversation. In recent years, a new element has been added — the ability to intelligently use generative AI tools. Meta and Amazon will check it separately or in a mixed round.

How to prepare

Study algorithms systematically: array, hash table, tree, graph, dynamic programming. Every day a little, but regularly. Read Real Services Architecture for System Design. Create ready-made stories for behavioral questions in the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result)—this is especially important on Amazon.

And most importantly: the process is long (usually 2-3 months) and rejection is normal. Most of those who were accepted passed on the second or third attempt, not on the first attempt.

Sources: Google SWE interview (Prepfully), Meta SWE guide (Exponent), Amazon interview process (TechPrep).