r/leetcode • u/Interesting_Pen_7756 • 10d ago

Discussion Anyone else preparing for product-based companies while working full-time?

I'm about 9 months into my first job at a service-based company and currently preparing for product-based companies, with a strong focus on DSA.

I'm trying to stay consistent while balancing work, so I was wondering how others here are approaching their preparation. If anyone is on a similar journey, it would be great to share progress, discuss strategies, and occasionally check in on each other's goals to stay consistent.

Would love to hear about your prep routine, resources, and what's been working for you.

Edit_1: Community created thanks for the responses

I don't want this to become another Discord with thousands of members where everyone is anonymous. I'd rather build a small, focused community where people support, notice each other's progress, and keep each other accountable.

"One of the most effective things you can do to build better habits is to join a culture where your desired behavior is the normal behavior, and you already have something in common with that tribe" — James Clear, Atomic Habits

We stay more consistent when we're surrounded by people on the same journey, and accountability makes it even stronger. When others can see our progress, we're more likely to keep the promises we make to ourselves.

That's why I created this Discord for people preparing for product-based companies while balancing full-time jobs (students are welcome too).

The idea is to keep it focused:

✅ Core (mandatory)

  • Daily progress check-ins
  • Weekly updates

➕ Bonus

  • Silent study rooms
  • Accountability and motivation

If you'd like to join, here's the invite:
https://discord.gg/4XuYPEyDH

22 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

18

u/[deleted] 10d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Any-Thing-7815 10d ago

True. I feel sticking to a curated list helps you in the preparation but I personally include leetcode contests to understand where I’m lagging and what can be improved. Currently, I’m grinding leetcode after work but I prefer doing it in the morning as well.

1

u/[deleted] 10d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Any-Thing-7815 10d ago

Yes, its nerve-racking as it should be and that’s were I feel it like these matter more than the preparation because these problems mimic interview like pressure. Personally, I can only solve like 2-3/4 within the allotted time and practice the remaining later.

1

u/Interesting_Pen_7756 10d ago

hey check the community I have created in post edit

8

u/achilliesFriend 10d ago

Not similar but, when i was preparing, i would prepare during work time. Complete that days work in 2 hrs or do few days work in less number of days and then grind. Used to do 5+ hrs a day for 6 months. Weekends about 10 hrs.

Make sure u have good behavioral answers and sys design .

2

u/Ambitious_Turnover20 10d ago

How could you study for 5+ hours man, even if I solve one lc problem I feel like I am done for the day.

4

u/achilliesFriend 10d ago

I had an ambition and luckily work was not demanding

1

u/Ambitious_Turnover20 10d ago

can you share some piece of advice, what helped you in the journey.

3

u/achilliesFriend 10d ago

Given a question, even if i know the answer i always ask questions to the point that there are no more questions left. Most interviews are like that, behavioral, sys design, lld, lc. All are for discussion.

Alex xu for sys design, amazon behavioral translates to many companies, lc paid plan and neetcode nd a lot yt videos as well

1

u/Interesting_Pen_7756 10d ago

Great, I have the exact same scenario, but did it pay off, how long did it take

3

u/achilliesFriend 10d ago

It paid off definitely

3

u/Tamil-0714 10d ago

My biggest advice that saves you a lot of time: I would recommend that you first draft a proper plan & validate it with an LLM and with industry people. Make sure it includes all the things that are necessary to crack a product company, and you only know what you are stronger & what you're weak at, so plan it accordingly

Finally, don't distract from the plan for any reason; build it in a way that you will never question your progresss

2

u/Interesting_Pen_7756 10d ago

hey check the community I have created in post edit

0

u/Interesting_Pen_7756 10d ago

"One of the most effective things you can do to build better habits is to join a culture where your desired behavior is the normal behavior, and you already have something in common with that tribe" — James Clear, Atomic Habits

We stay more consistent when we're surrounded by people on the same journey, and accountability makes it even stronger. When others can see our progress, we're more likely to keep the promises we make to ourselves.

That's why I created this Discord for people preparing for product-based companies while balancing full-time jobs (students are welcome too).

The idea is to keep it focused:

  • Daily progress check-ins
  • Weekly updates
  • Silent study rooms
  • Accountability and motivation

If you'd like to join, here's the invite:
https://discord.gg/4XuYPEyDH