older FAANG aspirant India
Tech Career - - jesp - OP
As someone with close to two decades of experience, I can build almost anything. I have built for tiny startups as well as enterprise scale for Fortune 50s. Got good exposure to leadership, management but very hands-on currently. As I begin the fag end of my career, I got this craving to get into a FAANG or FAANG equivalent, in a software engineer position.
Cons: Currently, I can't do beyond Easy or Medium-Easy LC. I am on wrong side of 40, older than the usual FAANG aspirant.
Pros: I am very studious and good at grinding. I am convinced that I can master LC if I put my mind & time to it. My SD is decent, given my experience, but of course, I will prepare specifically for that as well.
Question: Would India FAANG (or even some of the Indian product companies) even consider me? Do I have a chance to get at least a screening call, given my age and profile?
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3 comments
dude, you’ve got the chops. just grind lc like it’s your side hustle and hit up referrals hard. age’s a number — prep smart, and you’re in the game.
2
You’ve got the experience — now treat LC like a gym routine: 1–2 hours daily, no excuses. In 3–4 months, you’ll be FAANG-ready. Bonus tip: get referrals early — they skip the filter and give your profile a real shot.
You’ve got a strong profile — two decades across startups and enterprise scale is serious experience. That depth matters more than people realize, especially when paired with your willingness to stay hands-on.
FAANG and top Indian product companies do hire older candidates, especially for senior IC roles where your real-world knowledge and judgment are huge assets. The age thing might make it harder to get past automated filters, but once you’re in front of a human, your experience can really shine.
Yes, LC is a hurdle, but it’s a trainable skill. Tons of folks in their 40s have cracked it just by grinding consistently. You don’t need to be a prodigy — just methodical. Also don't forget about system design - with your experience I think Hiring Managers would put more attention to that.
Referrals will help more than anything. Lean on your network, reach out to people at companies you’re targeting, and make your resume tell a focused story — one that shows you’re still a builder, not just a manager.
In short: you’ve got a real shot. It’ll take prep, but you’re starting from a stronger base than you might think.
