The technical interview process for software engineers is… a special kind of nightmare. You can have years of experience, a portfolio of shipped projects that real people actually use, and still get tripped up by some obscure algorithm question about finding the median of two sorted arrays. It’s a frustrating, often demoralizing, dance.
For years, the standard advice has been to just “grind LeetCode.” And sure, that helps. But it’s a lonely, one-size-fits-all approach. It’s like trying to learn boxing from a book; you might know the moves, but you have no idea how to take a punch or adapt in a real fight.
Lately, I've been hearing a lot of buzz in my network about a different approach. A platform called Formation. It's not another course or a simple question bank. They call it a fellowship. And the results they’re touting? Pretty eye-watering. An average compensation bump of +$110,000 for their fellows. So, naturally, my inner SEO-and-trends analyst lit up. I had to see what this was all about.
What Exactly is Formation? (And Who Is It For?)
First things first, let's clear up what Formation isn't. It's not a bootcamp for beginners. If you're looking to learn how to code from scratch, this isn't the place for you.
Formation is designed specifically for mid-level and senior engineers who are already good at their jobs but want to level up. We're talking about engineers who are aiming for those top-tier roles at places like Google, Meta, Netflix... you know the ones. The roles where the interview process is notoriously difficult.
At its core, it’s an AI-powered fellowship that combines a dynamic, adaptive learning platform with world-class mentorship. Think of it less like a library of interview questions and more like a personal training camp for your engineering career, complete with elite coaches.
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Breaking Down the Formation Method: More Than Just Algorithms
So how do they claim to get these crazy results? It seems to boil down to a few key things that set them apart from just mindlessly drilling problems on your own.
AI-Powered Personal Training
The platform uses AI to create a personalized prep plan. Instead of you randomly picking problems, it diagnoses your weak spots and gives you targeted practice to fill those gaps. If you're a rockstar with systems design but your dynamic programming is a bit shaky, it adapts. This is a huge time-saver. You're not wasting hours on things you already know, which is a mistake I see so many engineers make. You’re practicing what you need to practice.
Mentorship from Actual Industry Vets
This, for me, is the real game-changer. The mentors at Formation aren't just tutors. They are senior engineers and hiring managers from top tech companies. I saw names from places like Uber and other FAANG-level companies. These are the people who have been on the other side of the interview table. Getting direct feedback from them on mock interviews, code quality, and problem-solving strategy is invaluable. It’s the difference between theory and application.
Holistic Job Hunt Support
The fellowship offers unlimited technical mentorship, career coaching, and mock interviews. Unlimited. That’s a bold promise. This means they help with everything from polishing your resume to negotiating your salary. The job hunt isn’t just about passing the coding challenge; it’s a whole campaign. Having a team in your corner for the entire thing is a massive psychological boost, if nothing else.
Let's Talk Numbers: The Results and The Cost
Okay, let's get to the part everyone is secretly scrolling down for. The money. Formation is not shy about its outcomes. They report an average total compensation of $766k for fellows in 2024, with an average increase of $110k. Those are staggering numbers that make you sit up and pay attention.
But, as you'd expect, this kind of high-touch service comes with a price tag. There are two main ways to pay, and they're structured for different situations.
The Monthly Membership Breakdown
This plan is a flat $2,500 per month. You pay as you go, and you can cancel anytime. According to them, this is ideal if you’re already in the interview pipeline and need to cram effectively. It's a steep monthly fee, no doubt, but if it helps you land a job one month sooner, it could easily pay for itself.
The Unlimited Membership and That "Salary Gain" Model
This is where things get interesting. The Unlimited Membership is structured with an incentive-aligned model. You pay $5,000 down, and then you get unlimited support until you land a role. After you're hired, you pay a portion of the salary gain they helped you achieve. This is essentially an Income Share Agreement (ISA), and it's a smart model. It means Formation doesn't get fully paid unless you succeed. Their success is literally tied to yours.
There is a catch, however. This plan is currently only available to engineers who are eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada.
My Honest Take: The Good, The Bad, and The Dealbreakers
Alright, so after digging in, what's my real take? I’ve seen a lot of platforms come and go, and most overpromise and underdeliver. Formation feels… different.
The personalized, adaptive learning combined with mentorship from people who are currently in the roles you want is a powerful combination. It directly addresses the biggest flaw in self-study: the lack of targeted feedback and insider knowledge. The community aspect is also a huge plus, turning a lonely process into a shared one.
But it's not for everyone. And we need to be clear about that. If you're a junior dev, this isn't your stop. The entire program is calibrated for the challenges faced by experienced engineers. The pricing is also a significant barrier. Dropping $5,000 upfront requires a leap of faith, even with the salary-gain model. And the U.S./Canada restriction on their best plan is a real bummer for the global talent pool.
How Formation Stacks Up Against the Usual Suspects
So, why would you choose Formation over, say, AlgoExpert or just grinding LeetCode for free? It comes down to value and support. LeetCode is a fantastic tool, but it's just a tool. It's a gym full of equipment with no trainer. AlgoExpert is a step up, offering structured content and video explanations, which is great. But it still lacks that personal feedback loop.
Formation is selling an outcome, not just a tool. They're selling a guided path with expert coaching. The comparison chart on their site shows this clearly—they score themselves high on mentorship and personalized plans where other methods fall short. While you should always take a company's self-assessment with a grain of salt, the logic holds up. You're paying a premium for a premium, hands-on service.
Is the Formation Fellowship Actually Worth the Investment?
This is the million-dollar question. Or, well, the $110,000 question.
In my opinion, it comes down to your personal situation. If you're a mid-to-senior engineer who feels stuck, you're consistently failing final-round interviews, or you know you're being underpaid, then the ROI here could be massive. Seriously, do the math. An upfront investment, even a significant one, that leads to a six-figure increase in your annual salary is a no-brainer from a financial perspective. It's an investment in your single biggest asset: your earning potential.
However, if you're highly self-motivated, have a strong network of senior engineers to do mock interviews with, and are confident in your ability to diagnose your own weaknesses, you might be able to achieve similar results on your own. It'll just take more time and a lot more personal discipline. Formation is a powerful accelerator, but it's not the only path up the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions about Formation
1. Is Formation a bootcamp?
No, it's the opposite. Bootcamps are for people learning to code for the first time. Formation is a fellowship specifically for experienced mid-level and senior software engineers who want to land top-tier roles.
2. What kind of roles can Formation help me get?
Formation focuses on preparing engineers for challenging mid-to-senior and staff-level positions at leading technology companies, the kind famous for their difficult, multi-stage interview loops.
3. How does the "pay based on salary gain" part work?
For their Unlimited Membership, you pay a $5,000 deposit. After you accept a new job, you pay a percentage of the increase in your salary. It's an incentive-aligned model, meaning they're invested in getting you the biggest compensation package possible.
4. Is there a guarantee I will get a job?
No legitimate program can ever guarantee a job. However, Formation's Unlimited plan's financial structure is built on your success. They offer unlimited support until you land a role, showing a strong commitment to your outcome.
5. Can I join if I live outside the US or Canada?
Yes, you can! The Monthly Membership plan is available to everyone, regardless of location. The Unlimited Membership with the salary-gain model, however, is currently restricted to those with work eligibility in the U.S. or Canada.
6. What does "unlimited support" really mean?
It means you get as many mock interviews, resume reviews, career coaching sessions, and technical mentorship sessions as you need to feel fully prepared and confident, until you accept a job offer.
Final Thoughts
Navigating a tech career at the senior level is a different ballgame. It’s less about learning new syntax and more about mastering complex systems, communicating effectively, and acing the high-stakes interviews that guard the gates to the industry's best jobs. Platforms like Formation represent a shift in career development—away from DIY and towards professional, specialized coaching.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not for everyone. But for the right engineer at the right time in their career, it could be the single best investment they make. It’s a bold claim, but with results like a $110k salary bump, it’s a claim they just might be able to back up.
Reference and Sources
- Formation Pricing and Program Details
- An Overview of the Software Engineering Interview Process - Levels.fyi
