I've done around 300 problems so far (100E, 150M, 50H). Feeling like I'm hitting diminishing returns. Same patterns keep showing up.
Should I keep grinding or switch focus to system design and projects? I'm targeting FAANG for SDE-1 roles.
What was your problem count when you got your first FAANG offer?
I think it also depends on how you're feeling about the problems. If it's just repetitive, maybe try tackling different problem types or explore other topics like system design as you mentioned.
I was in the same boat after doing about 250 problems. I decided to shift gears to system design and it was super helpful. For FAANG, understanding concepts like load balancing and database sharding was crucial for my interviews.
I think 300 is more than enough. At some point, it's important to stop grinding and start focusing on mock interviews and soft skills too. Don't forget about behavioral interviews!
I got my first FAANG offer after about 200 problems, focusing more on mediums and hards. Personally, I think it's more about understanding problem-solving strategies than the sheer number of problems.