Hey guys,
I really hope this will help someone, though please do not expect me to reveal any details under NDA.
I started my interview journey with FAANGs 2 years ago after a decade of working for mediocre company. I got rejected by Google during phone screen after solving 20 LC problems, then rejected by Facebook after solving 350 LC problems and then got hired by Amazon on L4 (SDE2) position after solving 450 LC problems. This was my first step to my dream, but I stopped leetcoding for a year after 550 LC problems mark. Then Facebook recruiter reached out to me and I allocated 2 months of preparation for Google and Facebook for L5. I solved around 100 LC problems extra before my recent interviews. There was another post by the guy who got rejected after 950 LC problems solved. I must admit that with that high number of solved problems it's still a lottery. I believe that I got highly unlucky with Google twice in a row, my interviews were conducted just poorly. Like really, I still believe I dodged the bullet and I do not want to make any attempt with Google in next couple of years. Done with them.
Google Interview
I was rejected and then ghosted by Google recruiter. Google really droppped the ball in my case second time. I had a bad phone screen experience first time I interviewed with them. So it feels like that Google is not the Google we knew right now. Especially, after hiring so many people for Google Cloud. ;-)
Facebook Interview
Unlike Google, both of Facebook's onsite interviews were conducted perfectly! Good job Facebook!
How did I prepare on Leetcode?
When I failed on my first Facebook onsite I tried to solve as many tagged problems as possible and then walked through solutions 2 days before the interview. That didn't help me with some problems, so I decided to change my tactic. Recruiter told me that I should not expect DP problems and that I need to focus on solving 2 LC medium problems in 40 mins. That's exactly what I did.
Every day before starting my work day at Amazon (my work schedule was pretty intense in my case :-D) I allocated at least 1 hour to solve Mocks on Leetcode. I solved all Google, Facebook and Amazon interview. I think this was the road to success. After 2 months of preparation I recovered all my previous skills of problem solving and could complete 2-3 problems in 30-40 mins. Coding under the pressure that's exactly what you need! Sometimes I was able to code solution during last 2 mins of the timer. When I saw the timer counting down last minutes, my heart was pounding like crazy! This helped me to control my emotions a lot. I was in the same emotional situation in Google and Facebook interview when I struggled a little.
Beware, that some questions in those mock interviews are total BS. For example, I have no clue whose idea was to put the problem in Amazon mock deck that can be solved only by applying Tarjan algorith. This is freaking crazy, Amazon would never ask that (unless there is something truly wrong with the interviewer).
I accepted Facebook offer in the end as it's a next level for me and I'm really excited about the opportunity. I hope you can do that too guys!
Good luck! :)