5 ms·
I was in the same situation a couple of years ago. I had over 15 years of experience, was invited for a technical interview at Amazon, and failed. At first I w
by misja111 10y ago
I was in the same situation a couple of years ago. I had over 15 years of experience, was invited for a technical interview at Amazon, and failed.
At first I was irritated, just like the author. But then I decided to turn this negative energy into something positive and followed a couple of courses on Algorithms on Coursera, also I discovered Hackerrank. And I found out that I actually loved solving algorithmic problems!
Now it is a couple of years later and I actually was able to land a job thanks to my new skills (not at Amazon though). But what's much more important: I found a new hobby that will keep me entertained for many more years.
- mavelikara 10y agoMy story is the same too. I was a promising junior developer when I went to an interview at Amazon. Got my back handed to me. I was upset, but decided to work on it. Read a few books on the topic, and I no longer find these interviews difficult.
- nojvek 10y agoBefore I interview I mention that I am uncomfortable with whiteboards. I prefer pen and paper. It's faster to write and feels a bit natural. Only one company denied me the request and I didn't go ahead for them. Their loss. I've also found having a github profile where you've files issues on projects and made a couple of commits really helps the chances. It gives more data than a resume. At one interview, the interviewer read some of my commits and he said "I don't have any doubts you can code, but I wanna ask you about design". He went on to ask why I did things in a certain way. But seriously. "Say no to coding on whiteboards".
- wry_discontent 10y agoI'm the opposite way. I prefer the whiteboard to pen and paper.
- k__ 10y agoI was in the same situation, but I simply stopped doing these kind of interviews and started doing contract work. The pay is better with less strange questions asked upfront.
- dikdik 10y agoIt's weird how companies will hire another company to build a tech product and never ask to see examples of code or put them through white-board interviews. You just show them previous work and talk about what the client needs and how you can meet them. But even in right-to-work states, to hire a person requires extensive hoop jumping for the employee. You can't just show them previous work and tell them how you can help them, you have to PROVE it with outlandish questions they may have little to do with the actual job.
- k__ 10y agoIt feels like employers think employees want to steal something from them...