I don't get it why people try very hard to get a job at FAANGs. Could it be because they would feel like they would become part of an elite, could it be because that once they have a FAANG company in their resume, they won't have to pass lengthy and stressful interviewing processes anymore and won't have to job hunt.
But there are many other software engineering jobs with at least as interesting problems to solve, at least as good payment, at least as good job security while being less stressful.
For me, hunting specifically a job at FAANG doesn't pay off.
I'd accept any job that meets my criteria of what I have to do, payment and stress level.
I see this said sometimes, and frankly I doubt it. A mediocre performer at Google or Facebook with 3 years of experience is pulling in 250K+. At Amazon and Microsoft, that's a bit lower but still over 200K. And there's upside for a higher performer.
The only places that match that kind of progression are bay area startups/public unicorns and quant finance and hedge funds. And for a competent person, that growth doesn't stop for another few years.
But there are many other software engineering jobs with at least as interesting problems to solve, at least as good payment, at least as good job security while being less stressful.
For me, hunting specifically a job at FAANG doesn't pay off.
I'd accept any job that meets my criteria of what I have to do, payment and stress level.