Embarking on a journey through the competitive landscape of Big Tech, Shubham Malhotra’s story is a testament to strategic planning and persistence. From his early days at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to his current role at Amazon, Malhotra’s path offers valuable insights for aspiring tech professionals.
Malhotra, who hails from New Delhi, ventured to the US to pursue software engineering. During his time at RIT, he balanced academic responsibilities with a co-op at a real estate tech firm. These experiences laid the groundwork for his subsequent internships at Salesforce and Amazon AWS in 2021, which eventually led to a full-time offer from Microsoft in 2022.
1. Leverage Internships for Career Advancement
Malhotra’s approach to internships was marked by initiative and depth. “Breaking into Big Tech is hardest at the beginning,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of gaining credibility through substantial internships. By tackling real-world engineering problems, he not only honed his technical skills but also enhanced his résumé, which was pivotal in securing interviews with top-tier tech firms.
2. Optimize Your Résumé for Success
In crafting his résumé, Malhotra avoided clichés and focused on measurable results. He tailored his résumé to align with job descriptions, ensuring compatibility with both human reviewers and ATS systems. Using tools like LaTeX via Overleaf, he highlighted his proficiency in areas such as “cloud computing” and “backend engineering,” always quantifying his achievements.
3. Apply at the Right Time
Timing was a crucial factor in Malhotra’s job search. He strategically applied for positions during peak recruitment periods, signing his Microsoft offer in October 2021. His understanding of hiring cycles allowed him to enter the job market at optimal times, both as a new graduate and as an experienced professional.
4. Tailor Interview Preparation to the Role
Preparation was key for Malhotra, who utilized resources like LeetCode and HackerRank for coding interviews and followed the STAR method for behavioral assessments. His targeted preparation allowed him to address company-specific challenges effectively.
5. Avoid Shortcuts in the Job Search
Malhotra’s proactive approach to job applications involved cold outreach and personalized communication via LinkedIn. By sending concise, tailored pitches to recruiters, he managed to bypass traditional referral routes. This strategy, combined with his technical projects, such as a handwriting recognition tool using AWS Textract, set him apart in the competitive job market.
Current Role and Future Outlook
Now at Amazon, Malhotra is focused on infrastructure challenges that align with his career aspirations. Looking ahead, he plans to enhance his public work and networking to further solidify his professional standing. “I’d run the same system again — just with a bit more compounding from public work and relationships,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and visibility in the tech industry.
