What other field expects you to "prove yourself" in an interview? Maybe performing arts. But a cattle call is a temporally self-contained affair. One or maybe a

What other field expects you to "prove yourself" in an interview? Maybe performing arts. But a cattle call is a temporally self-contained affair. One or maybe a few days. Singers get accompanists, instrumentalists get to use their instruments. The selection to be performed at an audition is representative of the role. You don't hire a jazz pianist by asking him to sight-read Bach and demonstrate the fingering on an imaginary violin. (Could an all-around virtuoso, or someone who had practiced that particular useless but impressive skill, do it reasonably well? Sure. But that's not the point). Programming is this way. But it doesn't have to be. There's education, professional licensing, portfolio, accomplishments, references, reputation, with an hour or two of interviews at the end to discuss these things in more detail and assess culture fit. Maybe a demonstration of relevant skills under realistic conditions. Not blind faith, but some trust that respectable peer institutions don't graduate or promote/retain horrifically incompetent people very often. The way professionals get hired past entry level in any other line of work. (At entry level, internships are readily available to those without much of a track record yet, and you prove yourself from there).