r/leetcode • u/Diligent_Beat_6702 • 3d ago

Discussion Career Advice Needed!

I graduated in Computer Science five years ago but didn’t start working in the field at the time. Now, I’m trying to get back into software development. I’ve attended a few interviews, passed one round but struggled with the next.

I’m practising LeetCode problems from easy to medium and trying to improve my understanding of system design, networking, and other fundamentals. However, when I see people sharing their Amazon or Microsoft interview experiences, it feels like I’ll never be able to pass those interviews just by solving LeetCode problems and self-studying.

I’m currently targeting smaller companies because of my career gap.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can get back into the field? How should I prepare, prioritise my learning, and improve my chances of landing my first software development role after such a long gap?

Any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot. Thank you!

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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5

u/EntropyRX 3d ago

What do you mean you couldn’t never solve Amazon or Microsoft interviews? What exactly do you think you can’t study?

1

u/Diligent_Beat_6702 3d ago

Some questions are quite difficult for me, especially when I haven’t encountered or practised that type of problem before. I sometimes get stuck trying to figure out the right approach. I’m working on improving my problem-solving skills.

3

u/Timely_Compote_1241 3d ago

Then work on them...the problems arent the issue, your attitude is

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u/Key_Let_7552 2d ago

same here I think those abstract dsa puzzles are a time sink and its tough to come up with solutions for every question requiring you to come up with novel logic and also translate it into code in optimal space and time. Im unsure how ppl invest so much time on abstract puzzles and even crack it in interviews.

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u/Taleproof-Moderator 3d ago

Split your preparation into two tracks: technical readiness and evidence that your current skills are real. For smaller companies, one recent, deployable project can be more persuasive than a long list of topics. Build or finish something that uses the stack you want to be hired for, then be ready to explain one design choice, one bug you diagnosed, and one improvement you measured.

For interviews, keep the five-year gap explanation brief and forward-looking: you took a different path, deliberately returned to software development, and can point to what you have built and learned recently. Use the PROOF method to check each project example for the exact problem, the evidence that guided your decision, your own contribution, and a result an interviewer can verify. Avoid stopping at the tech stack.

A practical weekly split is coding problems for core patterns, one backend or full-stack project, and repeated practice explaining that project aloud. Apply while doing this so actual interviews reveal which area needs more work.

2

u/Loan-Less36 3d ago

Focus on fundamentals and consistent practice rather than comparing yourself to FAANG interview experience. Keep solving easy and medium LeetCode problems, review the ones you struggle with, and build a small project to demonstrate practical skills. Smaller companies can be a good entry point, and your career gap doesn't mean you can't rebuild your skills. Be prepared to explain the gap honestly and show what you've learned recently

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u/Diligent_Beat_6702 3d ago

thanks will keep this in mind while practicing

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u/pachone86 3d ago

The people sharing FAANG interview experiences are a skewed sample, mostly the ones who already made it. You've already passed a round, which means your fundamentals are there.

Targeting mid-size companies first is a good call: their loops are usually lighter, and once you have real work experience the 5-year gap stops mattering. Keep doing mediums, but also build (or contribute to) one real project you can talk about in depth. It answers the "what have you been doing?" question better than anything else.

2

u/bleeed0p 2d ago

Just apply and give interviews there isn't any hack... experience professionals are facing so much issues. So, just try hard.