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I've talked to a research scientist at facebook who commented on this exact issue. They've debated this, the issue is that architecture, past experience, workfl

I've talked to a research scientist at facebook who commented on this exact issue. They've debated this, the issue is that architecture, past experience, workflow are all things that can be taught to anyone. Google and similar companies aren't in the business of hiring anyone who can just learn anything. Given enough time anyone can develop skills to be a programmer. However, google is in the business of hiring people who are intellectually superior. People who can do things that can't necessarily be taught. You complain about 5 whiteboard problems because most likely you won't be able to solve 5 whiteboard problems. This does not mean you're a bad programmer. However, the guy who can solve those problems without an issue has a higher probability of having higher intelligence and better programming skills than you.

palakchokshi 10y ago
But the whiteboarding questions and their successful completion by the author clearly shows Google is hiring for skills that the author was able to learn in 1 month. Architecture, workflow, use of proper design patterns, etc. are things you learn from past experience.
- crimsonalucard 10y ago
  He failed those indicating he needs more time to learn if he can learn it at all.
- khedoros 10y ago
  There's "successful completion", and then there's what Google is looking for. They want optimal code, and they want you to explain your thought process as you're writing. They want you to hit all the subtle corner cases without being prompted (and for you to verbally note why you coded it that way). You solved the problem if you give them the O(n^2) answer, but they're looking for the more complicated O(n) answer, because then they'll get to present you with the 2nd and 3rd variations on the question, rather than spending time refining the first.
sbov 10y ago
I disagree, the type of whiteboard questions you get can completely get taught, and practicing helps. Intellect certainly helps, but it helps in every activity. If I wanted to put a negative spin on it: Google is filtering for people with lots of free time on their hands and spend that free time on intellectual pursuits. This makes them more likely to spend their free time staying at work rather than going home and doing something else.

palakchokshi 10y ago

But the whiteboarding questions and their successful completion by the author clearly shows Google is hiring for skills that the author was able to learn in 1 month. Architecture, workflow, use of proper design patterns, etc. are things you learn from past experience.

crimsonalucard 10y ago
He failed those indicating he needs more time to learn if he can learn it at all.
khedoros 10y ago
There's "successful completion", and then there's what Google is looking for. They want optimal code, and they want you to explain your thought process as you're writing. They want you to hit all the subtle corner cases without being prompted (and for you to verbally note why you coded it that way). You solved the problem if you give them the O(n^2) answer, but they're looking for the more complicated O(n) answer, because then they'll get to present you with the 2nd and 3rd variations on the question, rather than spending time refining the first.

sbov 10y ago

I disagree, the type of whiteboard questions you get can completely get taught, and practicing helps. Intellect certainly helps, but it helps in every activity. If I wanted to put a negative spin on it: Google is filtering for people with lots of free time on their hands and spend that free time on intellectual pursuits. This makes them more likely to spend their free time staying at work rather than going home and doing something else.