Yes, but in that case you're reading up on algorithms for the sake of the interview and not the job. There, it becomes a filter or rite of passage. There are be

Yes, but in that case you're reading up on algorithms for the sake of the interview and not the job. There, it becomes a filter or rite of passage. There are better filters, and rites of passage (in employment at least) are complete bullshit. My favorite filter is to just ask the candidate to talk about technology, open ended, like they would to a friend. You get a real sense of what they care about, and you give them a chance to lead the discussion. Do they ask questions back to you (I hope so), or do they monopolize the discussion. Are they even prepared to have an open ended discussion? You'd be surprised how many 'software engineering' candidates can't do that.