Why Even Google Engineers Are Relearning Everything | Maddy Zhang

Maddy Zhang, a former Google engineer, explains her reasons for leaving what many consider a dream job. She cites Google's bureaucracy, the use of an internal tech stack limiting external career options, and the influence of friends leaving the company as key factors. Zhang reflects on the "golden handcuffs" of Google's perks, which made it difficult to leave, and the slow pace of development due to internalized tools. Despite these drawbacks, she still recommends Google as a good place to work, particularly in faster-moving teams like the ads team. Zhang also shares tips for job seekers in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of applying early, networking for referrals, and persistence in the face of rejection. She further discusses strategies for managing imposter syndrome and navigating performance reviews and promotions.