The Power Of Big Tech: Meta Interns Can Get $100k+ Signing Bonuses

Compensation is not talked about enough, leading to huge differences in awareness and feedback for different groups of people. This is a snippet from the full masterclass session about [Understanding And Optimizing Your Pay In Tech](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/gk408yBIV2fa5RjVR213/masterclass-understanding-and-optimizing-your-pay-in-tech/).

Some companies offer massive signing bonuses for interns that convert over to full-time. In the early 2010s, Facebook (not Meta) paid return interns a $75,000 signing bonus. For top interns (or those who negotiated), they received a $125,000 signing bonus.

For a new grad engineer who might be 21 or 22 years old, **this is a huge amount of money**. It can be difficult to turn that down. But the more important consideration is the overall total compensation (TC) calculation. Total compensation should be computed over a 4 year window since companies typically give out equity grants over 4 years.

For Rahul's full compensation breakdown of the 5 offers he received as a new grad, watch this video: [5 Offers w/ FAANG Companies As A New Grad: Details + Lessons](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/4MBOiqWEMbCTCcLPjisz/5-offers-w-faang-companies-as-a-new-grad-details-lessons/)

A Huge Way Companies Reward You For Joining - Signing Bonus

This video explains the role of signing bonuses in tech compensation, particularly how they’re used by companies to stay competitive and how candidates should evaluate them carefully when reviewing offers.

- **Signing bonuses are one-time cash payments** intended to sweeten a job offer and help a company stand out among competing opportunities.
- **Unlike base salary and equity, signing bonuses are not banded**, meaning they can be more flexible and generous—sometimes reaching up to $175K–$200K for top-tier roles at big tech firms.
- **Because signing bonuses are tied to retention**, they’re typically prorated over time. If the full amount is paid upfront and the employee leaves early, a portion must usually be repaid.
- **Most signing bonuses are structured around a one-year commitment**, but some companies now split them over two years, spreading risk and encouraging longer retention.
- **It's important to read the fine print**, especially around repayment terms and payout schedules, since these details can affect real take-home compensation and decision-making.

What Makes Up Total Compensation (TC) In Tech And Which Parts Matter

This video outlines the most important components of compensation in the tech industry and emphasizes how to assess and prioritize them effectively—especially when evaluating job offers or planning a negotiation.

- **Total compensation (TC)** typically includes base salary, equity, and bonuses, but many companies also add less impactful perks like free meals, fitness stipends, or game rooms.
- **The most meaningful and negotiable parts of compensation** are base salary, equity (like RSUs), and signing bonuses. These are the components with the greatest financial impact and room for movement in offer discussions.
- **Perks like catered lunches or company offsites** may sound appealing but usually amount to minor financial value—typically just a few hundred dollars a month—and shouldn’t drive decision-making.
- **Benefits such as 401(k) matching and paid time off** can be substantial, especially at top-tier companies, but are generally standardized and not negotiable between candidates.
- **When evaluating an offer**, focus on the components that both materially affect take-home pay and can be influenced during negotiation: base, bonus, and especially equity.

Assembling The Feedback "Avengers" For Your Promotion Case

Avoid This Commonly Held Naive Perception Of Managers

How To Get Real Feedback So You Can Actually Improve

Core points:

- Let the other person know that you treat all feedback as a gift and really appreciate constructive criticism.
- Schedule a 1:1 with crucial people in your org/team to get feedback. It can be every 1 to 3 months. Make it clear that it's a feedback meeting.
- It's important to understand the feedback giver's perspective. Nice people, those you are (hopefully) working with, are going to hold back often by default to shield you. This is why you need to make it clear that you really appreciate honesty and transparency.
- Feedback is crucial towards promotion.

Related resources:

- ["I got some pretty "unspecific" feedback. How can I sharpen it to make more actionable?"](https://www.jointaro.com/question/gKsY3J4x5rz2zdG2OXYJ/i-got-some-pretty-unspecific-feedback-how-can-i-sharpen-it-to-make-more-actionable/)
- ["I work in a small company with no formal perf review system - How can I get feedback to improve?"](https://www.jointaro.com/question/ZkjOqjW2ou4LhJ0HyIIK/i-work-in-a-small-company-with-no-formal-perf-review-system-how-can-i-get-feedback-to-improve/)
- ["How do I find a proper mentor within my company?"](https://www.jointaro.com/question/53nM0O5iemQD5K5ZQkYE/how-do-i-find-a-proper-mentor-within-my-company/)

Make Your Promotion Case Easy - Keep A Brag Journal

What Rockstar Engineers Realize About Managers That Others Don't

- Don't view your manager as just a boss. It's true that they have authority over you, but they are *also a resource for you*.
- This means that there's also a burden on you to find out how your manager can best support and empower you.
  - What skills do you want to grow?
  - Which projects are on their top of mind and therefore have the great impact?
- This working model is best for everyone. You are essentially finding out how you can be the most effective and impactful report for your manager as possible. Your manager gets a more empowered and efficient team, and you get career growth.

A Huge, Often Unused Way Your Manager Can Help With Promotion

- Your manager is critical to your promotion. More specifically, if your manager is not supportive of your promotion case, it is near impossible for you to get promoted.
- You need to create a plan with your manager as soon as the performance review cycle starts to set expectations on what you need in order to be a good candidate for promotion. It should be modal and detail the following:
  - What it means to meet expectations
  - What it means to exceed expectations
  - What it means to totally crush expectations
- Regularly work with your manager to get feedback and understand your progress for this plan

Do This To Stop Wasting Time In Your DSA Interviews

True or false: You should tackle the easiest, most trivial parts of a data structures and algorithms problem first, just to get it out of the way and boost your confidence.

True or false: A lot of the time, the interviewer won't care if you don't code out every single piece of the entire solution.

Why shouldn't you prioritize writing the simple utility methods your overall solution needs?

True or false: If you are 100% confident that your solution doesn't have bugs, just tell your interviewer you are done and kick the conversation back to them to save time and move on to the next problem.

You can save a lot of time during your data structures and algorithms interview by not having to write any utility functions.

Related resources:
- [[Taro Top 10] Effective Interview Prep](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/HLBYxJI7D1j8STolrwum/)
- [[Taro Top 10] Finding A Tech Job](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/E6R0wVJ5EyCfVnVrlfno/)

DSA Interview Step Finale: Analyze Your Solution

You should proactively go over the time requirements, space requirements, and edge cases of your coding solution once you're finished coding.

Related resources:
- [[Taro Top 10] Effective Interview Prep](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/HLBYxJI7D1j8STolrwum/)
- [[Taro Top 10] Finding A Tech Job](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/E6R0wVJ5EyCfVnVrlfno/)

This Is Required To Put The Interviewer On Your Side

Related resources:
- [[Taro Top 10] Effective Interview Prep](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/HLBYxJI7D1j8STolrwum/)
- [[Taro Top 10] Finding A Tech Job](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/E6R0wVJ5EyCfVnVrlfno/)

DSA Interview Step #2: Figure Out Your Overall Strategy

DSA Interview Step #1: Clarify The Problem

- The first step for any data structures and algorithms (DSA) problem is to *clarify the problem*. This means understanding exactly what the input and expected output are.
  - A common failure mode for candidates is that they will jump straight into coding, not doing this step. This leads to them wasting a lot of time writing code that isn't actually relevant.
- Often times in an interview, you will get a purposefully ambiguous problem - This happens with Big Tech a lot. The goal is get signal on the candidate's communication abilities.
- Clarifying the problem can help you *a lot* as it's very possible that the problem's scope is much more limited than you initially thought.

Related resources:
- [[Taro Top 10] Effective Interview Prep](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/HLBYxJI7D1j8STolrwum/)
- [[Taro Top 10] Finding A Tech Job](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/E6R0wVJ5EyCfVnVrlfno/)

How Big Tech Judges Interview Performance Differently

What is the main extra axis that Big Tech companies will grade interview candidates on?

As long as you get a correct, optimal solution, that is enough to pass a Big Tech interview round.

Why is communication so important in Big Tech companies?

True or false: Big Tech companies don't really care about what specific technologies and programming languages you have worked with.

What's the core high-level asset Big Tech interviewers look for?

- At a lot of companies, you can just get the right solution and pass. This will often not be the case with Big Tech interviews.
- Communication is much more important at Big Tech companies as there's more stakeholders on everything
- Try not to be silent for 5+ minutes at a time during the interview. Regularly be explaining your thought process
- Massive companies like Meta and Microsoft will have very custom technology, so it doesn't really matter what you're currently experienced in
  - Because of this, Big Tech companies generally let you code in whatever language you want
- It's possible to get the sub-optimal solution or a slightly incomplete solution and still pass the interview if your communication is very strong

Related resources:
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - Data Structures And Algorithms](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/V4sTACzfOh22nMVcUV3w/masterclass-how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-data-structures-and-algorithms/) - The video this clip was taken from
- [Alex's Guide To Effective Communication](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/hVdLQQzfslaYarLSCmmy/)
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - System Design](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/J3I9fTW9ulr6T9KjxpqY/masterclass-how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-system-design/)
- [How Alex Got Into Meta With 0 Prior LeetCode Experience](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/ZYiTbN21FsqFxFdpwt5a/how-alex-got-into-meta-with-0-prior-leetcode-experience/)

Truly Mastering A Data Structures And Algorithms Problem  - 2 Sum Example

Why is the following not a good way to remember the solution to 2 Sum?
        
def twoSum(self, nums, target):
    required = {}
    for i in range(len(nums)):
        if target - nums[i] in required:
            return [required[target - nums[i]],i]
        else:
            required[nums[i]] = i

Why is [Look for the difference and use a HashSet] a great way to remember the solution to 2 Sum?

What more general higher-level learning principle is also exercised alongside the proper mastery of data structures and algorithms problems?

Data structures and algorithms are a core part of FAANG software engineer interviews, and they're seemingly the bane of every software engineer's existence. However, so many software engineers don't learn these concepts properly.

Here are the core points from the video:
- In this example, we cover 2 sum, a classic data structures and algorithms problem that many companies use on phone screens. Here's how to learn it properly:
  - **Bad:** Memorizing all the code behind the optimal implementation.
  - **Good:** "Look for the difference and use a HashSet."
- All DSA problems will have this core insight that "unravels" the entire thing. Once you find and truly understand this insight, the implementation should flow naturally.
- This is also a sign of higher learning via "thinking in terms of abstractions". Your brain is a lot more powerful if it is able to take something more singular and high-level and convert it into the nitty gritty. Memorizing everything at the lowest level simply isn't scalable.

Related resources:
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - Data Structures & Algorithms](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/V4sTACzfOh22nMVcUV3w/how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-data-structures-and-algorithms-7172021/) - This is the full video this clip is taken from
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - System Design](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/J3I9fTW9ulr6T9KjxpqY/how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-system-design-1162021/)
- [How Alex Got Into Meta With 0 Prior Leetcode Experience](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/ZYiTbN21FsqFxFdpwt5a/how-alex-got-into-meta-with-0-prior-leetcode-experience/)

Effectively Learning Data Structures And Algorithms (DSA) For Software Engineer Interviews

Which of these is the core building block of data structures and algorithms problems?

True or false: The most effective way to be prepared for data structures and algorithms interview problems is to memorize the code of each problem's solution line by line.

Why should you comment your solutions to data structures and algorithms problems?

True or false: When you are completely stuck, you should just look at the entire solution in order to learn it.

Why is it healthy to struggle on data structures and algorithms problems?

**Data Structure and Algorithm (DSA)** questions are a core part of the interview for most software engineering roles. These questions, sometimes called "Leetcode problems", are essential to master if you want a reasonable pass rate in your interviews. 

However, so many engineering candidates struggle to truly understand these questions, resulting in lower confidence and worse performance. Here are the best tips when it comes to passing these types of interviews:

- The key to mastering DSA is to learn patterns and not memorize code. The "drill and kill" style of studying is really badly suited for DSA.
- 80% of asked DSA problems will use 1 of ~15 different patterns. So rather than focusing on individual problems, your goal should be to connect the problem to a broader, recurring pattern.
- Examples of patterns: binary search, graph traversal, sliding window, tail recursion. Being able to understand problems of the same type is essential. Being able to *name the pattern* is even better. 
- Extensively comment your solutions, primarily with the key pattern behind the problem. When you get started, it will be painstakingly slow to understand each line of code, and potentially comment it. That's ok! You will feel frustrated, but your goal is to deeply understand the problem and solution, instead of simply solving as many problems as you can.
- When you can't figure out a problem, read 10-20% of the solution and see if you can come up with the entire solution from there. Build the muscle of converting high-level points into fleshed out solutions

Related resources:
- ["Mock Interviews vs. Leetcode?"](https://www.jointaro.com/question/U4kohSE8g5LR7GD9cqYH/mock-interviews-vs-leetcode/)
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - Data Structures And Algorithms](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/V4sTACzfOh22nMVcUV3w/masterclass-how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-data-structures-and-algorithms/)
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - System Design](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/J3I9fTW9ulr6T9KjxpqY/masterclass-how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-system-design/)
- [How Alex Got Into Meta With 0 Prior LeetCode Experience](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/ZYiTbN21FsqFxFdpwt5a/how-alex-got-into-meta-with-0-prior-leetcode-experience/)

The Best Programming Languages For Interviews

- Try to use a more concise language like Python if possible. This is because interviews, DSA rounds in particular, are a precise time management exercise.
- However, if you are *very* familiar with a certain language, use that. The exception is if that language is very verbose like C.
- Avoid the trap of using a rarer, "fancier" language. It may cost you time to explain, and if you aren't actually that knowledgeable in it, you may get called out.

Related resources:
- [[Taro Top 10] Effective Interview Prep](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/HLBYxJI7D1j8STolrwum/)
- [[Taro Top 10] Finding A Tech Job](https://www.jointaro.com/playlist/E6R0wVJ5EyCfVnVrlfno/)

This Tool Is Especially Amazing For Big Tech Interviews

What Big Tech Data Structures And Algorithms Interviews Generally Look Like

FAANG interviews are some of the most well-defined in the industry. However, this style of software engineer interview is often completely failed due to a lack of preparation. Here's what to expect when it comes to data structures and algorithms interviews for Big Tech.

Here are the core points from the video:
- **Phone screens are Leetcode easy and medium** - This will either be 2 easy problems or 1 medium problem. This means that if you haven't progressed to onsite rounds yet, don't spend much time on Leetcode hard problems: That's a premature optimization. Make sure you have your easy and medium problem mastery down, so you can even make it to that final round.
- **Onsites are Leetcode medium and hard** - This will either by 2 medium problems or 1 hard problem. If you receive a problem that's more on the medium side, make sure to budget your time well. There's a good chance the interviewer wants you to solve another problem on top of that.

Related resources:
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - Data Structures & Algorithms](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/V4sTACzfOh22nMVcUV3w/how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-data-structures-and-algorithms-7172021/) - This is the full video this clip is taken from
- [[Masterclass] How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - System Design](https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/J3I9fTW9ulr6T9KjxpqY/how-to-ace-your-big-tech-interview-system-design-1162021/)

Tech Career Growth Videos

Our instructional videos provide software engineers with insights needed for career growth. Masterclasses go incredibly in-depth on a specific tech topic while case studies are real examples from established engineering leaders.