Why is attrition so high at big tech companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Dropbox etc.? - Dean jackson

Here is the answer from Dean Jackson.

Attrition at both Google and Facebook is among the lowest I’ve seen across twenty years spent in a half-dozen different industries; the interview bar is set high enough that if you get hired, you’re generally in good shape, and the perks/pay are designed to keep you happy. People certainly do leave and move around, but less than other companies.

But because of it’s size and growth rate, Amazon’s traditionally cast a wider net with their interviews. I believe it’s easier to get into the interview, for one; they’ll take more shots that aren’t going to make it.

Also, Amazon isn’t aiming for zero attrition after people are hired; they know interviews are flawed, so they give more folks a chance to get through the door, it seems. To balance the books on a choice like that, at Amazon, your stock doesn’t vest immediately… so it’s a lower-cost chance for the company.

My naive thoughts

I had three onsite interviews with Amazon, from 2016, 2018 and 2019. The online code screen, phone screen and onsite. I had onsite in 2019 with Facebook as well.

I am always pushing myself to learn new skills. I try to write down what I learn, measure what I improve, come out ideas to work on a small project to learn one algorithm very well, like graph algorithm find all paths.

I am analyzing as well. If I cannot pass Amazon onsite interview, then I have a small chance to pass Facebook onsite interview.

I passed Microsoft online code screen this May, but I did not get onsite interview invitation. But I got Facebook phone screen invitation afterwards. This tells me the signal, there is culture difference and there is something different here.

Hard work beats talent. I have to work hard, solve more problems on leetcode.com, advance my weekly contest ranking. I should start to learn system design daily, weekly and monthly. Focus on basics, and also catch up all other areas.

I have to learn how to build wealth and grow rich. Stay healthy, work on my fitness. Stay connected to so many talent people in the world.

Do not isolate myself and stay in sandbox of my coding blog.

How to write executable code in coding interview? How to stay focus and try to break my own code? How to come out optimal solution, go to time complexity first, and next work on space complexity, and then come out ideas to write code in 45 minutes for the extended algorithm.

Work hard, and do not be afraid to miss something important in my life, next 12 months.