After a career at Amazon, Telharkar now mentors candidates through the tech hiring process.
Breaking into the tech industry is a challenge filled with hurdles, rejections, and a barrage of complex coding tests and system design questions. For many aspiring tech professionals, it is confusing and overwhelming. Arvind Telharkar, a former Amazon software engineer, understands these challenges all too well. Having navigated the rigorous FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) interview process both as a candidate and an interviewer, Arvind is convinced that mentorship is key to successfully launching a tech career.
Arvind’s passion for mentoring began organically when he started sharing tips and advice on LinkedIn.
“I started posting hoping to help others avoid the mistakes I saw during my time at Amazon,” Arvind recalls. “The response was incredible, and it became clear that many people were struggling to get started in tech.”
LinkedIn posts turned into coffee meetings, where Arvind would offer advice and pointers to aspiring tech professionals. However, he quickly realized that these brief interactions weren’t enough to fully prepare people for the complexities of the tech interview process.
“There’s so much to cover, from preparing a resume to getting noticed, to acing the coding interviews,” Arvind explains. “I always felt like I didn’t have enough time to give people the guidance they really needed.”
Then Arvind had a brainstorm: he could fill the need in the market for comprehensive, one-on-one mentorship that could guide candidates through every stage of the tech job application process.
“People complained that the internet is full of resources, but there’s almost too much information, and it’s not always helpful,” he says. “What people need is mentorship that provides them specific, customized advice at every step in the process.”
Arvind built his mentorship program with his understanding of what top tech companies want in candidates in mind.
“Having been on both sides of the interview table, I know what works and what doesn’t,” he says. “I was rejected by nine companies before I got my first offer, so I understand the frustration, but I also know what it takes to succeed.”
When asked what makes his mentorship so effective, Arvind emphatically states it is the personalized approach.
“There is no single template that works for everyone,” he emphasizes. “Different people are at different points in their journey. I can quickly assess where someone is and give them specific advice to help them land their dream job.”
A college student who wants to get into tech after graduation praised Arvind’s mentorship: “Arvind reviewed my resume and gave me tips on how to improve it. He also gave me actionable items to pursue my goal of becoming a software engineer.”
For those starting out like Mehta, Arvind focuses on resume consultation and mock interviews. His mentorship offers one-on-one sessions for in-depth resume review and another for interview prep.
“Your resume is your first impression, and it needs to be tailored to stand out in a competitive field,” he explains. “And when it comes to interviews, practicing with someone who knows what the interviewers are looking for can make a huge difference.”
Arvind also helps professionals looking to transition into tech from other fields. He knows that there are many skills that employers are looking for that have nothing to do with a degree in computer science or specific tech experience.
“I’ve worked with mechanical engineers, for example, to help them package their skills in a way that’s attractive to FAANG companies,” he says. “It’s about understanding how to present your experience in a way that aligns with what these companies are looking for.”
In addition to practical advice, Arvind is committed to debunking common myths about breaking into the tech industry.
“Forget about upskilling as a buzzword,” he says. “It’s popular, but in the interview process, it’s not as important as demonstrating your problem-solving skills and core understanding.”
Arvind’s mentorship isn’t about offering feel-good encouragement; it’s about delivering actionable, personalized advice that can help candidates navigate the challenging journey of breaking into tech.
“The truth is, at every stage of the process, there’s a short window of time to make an impression,” he says. “I help people optimize that time to ensure they have the best chance of landing their dream job.”
For anyone looking to launch a career in tech, Arvind Telharkar’s mentorship provides a structured, supportive, and highly effective approach to mastering tech interviews. His experience, practical advice, and personalized guidance are exactly what aspiring tech professionals need to navigate this competitive field and achieve their career goals.
