Originally published on LeetCopilot Blog
You're at a crossroads. You can refuse to play the LeetCode game and target different companies, or you can swallow the bitter pill and grind. Here's a decision framework for when you're sick of it all.
You've hit the wall.
You've spent three consecutive weekends staring at "Trapping Rain Water." You've watched the NeetCode explanation four times. You still don't fully get it. And you're asking yourself the question every burned-out engineer eventually asks:
"Is this even worth it?"
The "fuck LeetCode" sentiment isn't just a meme anymore. It's a genuine career crisis. You feel trapped between two terrible options:
- Submit: Grind for months, hate your life, and maybe—maybe—get a FAANG offer.
- Rebel: Refuse to play the game, limit your options, and potentially earn less forever.
But is it really that binary?
This article is a decision framework. We're going to analyze the "Quit" path, the "Play" path, and a middle option—so you can make a choice based on strategy, not just frustration.
TL;DR (For Those Too Exhausted to Read)
- The choice isn't binary: There are three paths—Quit, Play, or Hack
- Quit Path: Target non-LeetCode companies, rely on portfolio (smaller pool, lower average TC, more sanity)
- Play Path: Embrace the grind for FAANG money and prestige (high reward, high cost)
- Hack Path: Strategic, minimal prep to pass mid-tier tech interviews (80% reward for 20% effort)
- The worst choice: Half-grinding and half-complaining—that's the path to maximum suffering
Option A: The "Fuck It, I Quit" Path
You decide: "I'm a professional engineer, not a competitive programmer. I will not do LeetCode."
The Strategy
Target companies that prioritize practical skills. Rely on your GitHub, portfolio, open-source contributions, and actual work experience.
Where to Look
- Early-stage startups: They need builders, not theoretical optimizers
- Consultancies/Agencies: They value speed and shipping
- Non-tech F500: Banks, retail, manufacturing (though some are adopting LeetCode)
- Curated lists: Hiring Without Whiteboards
The Pros
✅ Sanity: No weekends grinding DP problems
✅ Relevance: Interviews feel like actual work (take-homes, pair programming)
✅ Respect: You feel valued for what you can actually do
The Cons
❌ Smaller Pool: You eliminate ~80% of the highest-paying jobs (FAANG + Unicorns)
❌ Different Grind: Take-home projects can take 10-20 hours. Is that really better?
❌ Lower Ceiling: High-paying non-LeetCode jobs exist, but average TC is lower than Big Tech
Who This Is For
- Builders with strong portfolios
- Senior engineers with deep networks (referrals bypass screens)
- People who prioritize work-life balance over maximizing total compensation
Option B: The "Fine, I'll Play" Path
You decide: "I hate it, but I want the money and prestige. I'll do whatever it takes."
The Strategy
Treat LeetCode like a part-time job. Follow the Blind 75 or NeetCode 150. Pay for Premium. Mock interview until you're robotic.
Where to Look
- FAANG (MAMAA): Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google
- Unicorns: Stripe, Uber, Airbnb, Databricks
- HFT: High-frequency trading firms (harder than FAANG, pays more)
The Pros
✅ Compensation: $200K - $500K+ TC is normal
✅ Prestige: "Ex-Google" on your resume opens doors forever
✅ Mobility: Once you pass the bar, hopping between big tech is easier
The Cons
❌ Time Cost: 3-6 months of your life, gone
❌ Stress: High-pressure interviews with significant failure rates
❌ False Negatives: You can study for months and still fail because of question RNG
Who This Is For
- Junior/mid-level engineers wanting to maximize earnings early
- People who can tolerate rote memorization
- Those willing to sacrifice short-term happiness for long-term resume value
Option C: The "Hack the System" Path
You decide: "I won't grind 500 problems, but I'll learn the patterns to pass reasonable interviews."
The Strategy
Don't aim for Google. Aim for "Tier 2" tech companies or pragmatic, engineering-focused teams. Learn the top 15 patterns but don't memorize obscure Hards.
The Approach
- Pattern Recognition: Learn when to use a hash map, not how to implement a Red-Black tree
- Communication: Compensate for imperfect code with perfect explanation
- Tooling: Use LeetCopilot to speed up learning, focusing on intuition over brute-force repetition
The Pros
✅ Efficiency: 80% of results for 20% of effort
✅ Balance: You can have a life while prepping
✅ Access: Opens most tech jobs, even if you fail the hardest FAANG rounds
The Cons
❌ Risk: You might still bomb a hard interview
❌ Ceiling: May miss top-tier offers that require perfection
The Decision Matrix
Still unsure? Use this:
| Factor | Quit Path | Play Path | Hack Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Job satisfaction, respect | Maximize TC, prestige | Career growth, balance |
| Time Available | < 5 hours/week | 15+ hours/week | 5-10 hours/week |
| Tolerance for BS | Low | High | Medium |
| Current Skill | Strong builder, weak algo | Good memorizer | Balanced |
| Financial Need | Stable | High growth needed | Moderate growth |
How to Execute Your Choice
If You Choose "Quit":
- Polish your GitHub: It needs to be impressive enough to replace the coding test
- Network aggressively: Referrals are your best way past automated screens
- Filter job descriptions: Look for "practical interview," "take-home," or "discussion-based"
If You Choose "Play":
- Commit to a schedule: 2 hours every morning, no excuses
- Follow a roadmap: NeetCode 150 or Blind 75—don't wander randomly
- Mock interview: You must perform under pressure, not just solve
For structured prep, check out our Blind 75 guide.
If You Choose "Hack":
- Focus on patterns: Sliding Window, Two Pointers, BFS/DFS, basic DP
- Use AI assistance: LeetCopilot explains why solutions work, building intuition faster
- Target the right companies: Ask recruiters about interview format—if they say "Hard DP problems," skip them
FAQ: For the Undecided
"Can I switch paths later?"
Absolutely. Many people "Play" early in their career to get the FAANG stamp, then "Quit" later to join startups. Or they "Quit" early to build skills, then "Play" later to cash out.
"Is the Quit path risky?"
Only if you don't have a portfolio. If you refuse LeetCode AND have nothing to show, you're in trouble. You must prove competence somewhere.
"What if I choose Play and fail?"
You haven't wasted your time. You've improved problem-solving skills and discipline. You can pivot to the Hack path easily.
"Does LeetCopilot help with the Quit path?"
Indirectly. It helps you understand code faster, which is useful for any engineer. But it's primarily designed to make Play and Hack paths more efficient.
Final Thoughts
There's no moral superiority in refusing to do LeetCode. There's also no honor in grinding mindlessly.
It's a business decision.
- If the ROI of a FAANG salary is worth 3-6 months of suffering, do it
- If you value sanity and autonomy more than a specific logo, don't
- If you want something in between, the Hack path exists
The most important thing is to decide.
Don't sit in the middle, half-grinding and half-complaining. That's the worst of both worlds—maximum suffering, minimum results.
Pick your path. Own the trade-offs. Execute relentlessly.
If you choose to Play or Hack, LeetCopilot can help you do it faster. AI-powered hints, pattern learning, and smart practice—turning months of grinding into weeks of strategic prep.
If you're looking for an AI assistant to help you master LeetCode patterns and prepare for coding interviews, check out LeetCopilot.
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