$240 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
Hands-on support
Starts with a free 7-day trial – less commitment than a paid call, cancel anytime.
$240 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
Hands-on support
$240 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
Hands-on support
$240 / month
Start free, decide later
I spent over a decade at Amazon mostly as a Software Development Manager, most recently leading backend engineering for Amazon Hire. Before that I scaled Amazon's assessment platform from MVP to 20M+ candidate evaluations a year, and ran capacity for AWS S3's global fleet at eleven nines of availability.
I was also a Bar Raiser. I've conducted 200+ interviews across SDE, SDM, PM, TPM, Data Scientist and Solution Architect — and sat in the debriefs where the actual decision gets made.
That combination is the reason I'm useful. I've seen hiring from three sides: as the interviewer, as the hiring manager making the call, and as the engineer who built the systems the process runs on. Most interview advice online is reverse-engineered from the outside. Mine isn't.
What I actually coach:
Interview prep. Behavioral and system design. What the bar is, versus what people assume it is. Most candidates I've rejected were capable of the job, they lost on how they framed the answer, not on whether they knew it.
IC to SDM. I mentored SDEs through this move at Amazon and then through their first promo cycle as managers. I've also lived both sides at once, at Reliance Jio I was Principal Engineer and Senior Manager simultaneously, so I know how badly the "just be more strategic" advice serves people.
Engineering leadership. Hiring, scaling teams (I've grown teams 4 to 20+ and hired 50+ engineers), operating under pressure, and the promo-document mechanics that decide whether good work gets recognized.
I'm building a wellness app full-time right now, so I take a small number of mentees. That's a constraint, but it's also the deal: if I take you on, I prepare for your sessions.
Mentees who work with a mentor for 3+ months reach their goals 2x faster than those going it alone. Long-term mentorship means fewer false starts, more focused sessions, and support that builds week after week.
97% satisfaction across all mentors
Personalized feedback and growth plans
Trusted by thousands of mentees
Varun Arya
Founder, Ex-Software Developmenent Manager at Ex-AWS/Amazon
Enter your email and we'll let you know when Varun has open spots. You'll also get a link to manage your wishlist – no account needed.
Book a free intro call with Varun
Connect with Varun in a quick call (usually under 30 minutes)
One-off sessions with Varun
One-off sessions are a great option if you're looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
An introductory call is a simple way to get to know a mentor before committing to ongoing mentorship. This session gives you the chance to …
Interview preparation is about showing up with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of how to present your experience. This MentorCruise session is designed to …
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Get a full hour with a mentor to discuss your needs. Be it help with coding something, deciding on a …
What's included in the trial?
Every trial is a little different–here's what Varun says about their trial:
We'll meet for a quick call (usually under 30 minutes) where we:
- Break the ice and introduce ourselves
- Discuss your goals and how I can support you
- Coordinate logistics like time zones, meeting frequency, and communication methods
