Boomerang Employee's Advice for Returning to Meta

A senior software engineer, Devang Sharma, has returned to Meta in a more senior role after being laid off three years ago. Originally joining Meta in 2022, Sharma moved from London to Toronto but was later impacted by company-wide layoffs. He managed to secure other job offers within a month, as his permanent residency status was not tied to Meta. He found himself drawn back to Meta despite having offers from other AI companies, seeing it as a chance to contribute directly to foundational AI model development, a key aspiration for his career.

Sharma's return involved a rigorous interview process, similar to his initial experience but with more complex design problems. He notes that Meta has evolved, with a leaner structure, faster shipping of features, and a strong integration with AI. His initial experience at Meta, even though it ended in a layoff, provided valuable large-scale engineering insights. He actively maintained connections with former and current Meta employees through various online channels, which facilitated his re-engagement with the company.

Sharma advises other boomerang employees to approach their return with the mindset of a newcomer. This involves setting aside past experiences and prejudices to foster curiosity and continuous learning. He believes this approach is vital for professionals to adapt to industry shifts and to truly thrive in evolving work environments. His own return to Meta headquarters in Menlo Park marked a significant personal and professional milestone, offering direct engagement with leadership.