How to get a job at Facebook

"Good grades is definitely a plus point, but it is neither necessary nor sufficient."

"Relax and prepare hard. You will get what you wish for."

Computer science student Deepali Adlakha who recently secured a job at Facebook talks about the various interview stages and tells us how she cracked it.

It is the season of campus placements.

Deepali Adlakha, a final year computer science graduate at the IIT Bombay recently bagged a job offer at Facebook.

Adlakha has interned with Microsoft in May 2014 and has been an internship co-ordinator with the placement cell at IIT-Bombay.

She scored 93.80 per cent in class 10, 96.20 per cent in class 12 and secured a CGPA of 8.95 per cent at the IIT.

We speak to the young achiever to find out how she cracked the interview:

What were your thoughts when you realised that you've been offered a job at Facebook?

I don't consider it as a 'rare' feat. Many people have got such good offers both in the present and past.

Did you receive any other offers besides Facebook?

I gave interviews to Facebook, Google and Microsoft. Facebook was one among my top preferences. Since I got the the Facebook offer first I was out of the campus placement process. 

Can you brief us about the interview process?

Facebook had one coding test, after which there were three rounds of interview. All the interviews tested your technical knowledge.

What did the interviews test candidates for?

In all the three interviews I appeared, the student is tested on his/her thought process, how s/he arrives at the answer rather than just the answer.

What was your preparation strategy?

I practised coding, answering algorithmic design questions.

I had a rough overview of all my courses, hence I didn't spend much time revising them.

What kind of skills do you think helped you get the job?

A student should know how to code, both on paper and on the system. That is all that matters.

What resources did you follow?

I used Hackerrank and Codechef for practicing problems.

How important is academic excellence to crack a job interview?

Good grades is definitely a plus point, but it is neither necessary nor sufficient.

What's your advice to students who are aiming for similar placement offers as yours?

Relax and prepare hard. You will get what you wish for.

Photo: Deepali Adlakha's Facebook page

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