4 ms·

That is one case. I've specifically hired somebody before who was so/so in the interviews but was the main contributor to a wonderfully written open source pro

That is one case. I've specifically hired somebody before who was so/so in the interviews but was the main contributor to a wonderfully written open source project. And was and is a great developer and great hire. So there is a conflicting case. No company is going to be perfect at hiring just the same way as no person is going to perfectly crush every interview. But there is no world where having contributed quality code to an open source project will hurt your chances.

Apocryphon 10y ago
Problem is when that company becomes the industry standard at determining how interviews are done.
kafkaesq 10y ago
There isn't data available on the general case, of course. But data from personal experience indicates: (1) many companies -- I'd say at least half of 'em-- still never look at portfolio code† (which -- even it's just a small personal project or two -- should provide plenty of conversational material for a perfectly decent and rigorous phone screen), or (2) if they do give you a take-home, they never attempt to use that as discussion fodder, either.†† Instead it's usually "Huh, you seem like you just might not be a complete dullard. Would you mind proving it to us by taking this 3-hour HackerRank test? 'Coz we know you've got nothing but time. And you'll go through just about any number of hoops to get us to pay attention to you." † Even the ones who ask for it. †† Even when we patiently and politely point out the gaps and ambiguities, sometimes quite glaring, in their cute little "challenge" problems. Which, again, many to occur in at least around half of these exercises.
dominotw 10y ago
Are you still hiring by any chance? I am looking for a new gig and I have bunch of open source work but no one is actually looking at it all, one interviewer even admitted 'oh we don't look at that much, maybe towards the end'. Even though they asked for it in their hiring page. You are definitely an exception. Would be interesting to see which companies actually look at your github profile like they claim they do.

Apocryphon 10y ago

Problem is when that company becomes the industry standard at determining how interviews are done.

kafkaesq 10y ago

There isn't data available on the general case, of course. But data from personal experience indicates: (1) many companies -- I'd say at least half of 'em-- still never look at portfolio code† (which -- even it's just a small personal project or two -- should provide plenty of conversational material for a perfectly decent and rigorous phone screen), or (2) if they do give you a take-home, they never attempt to use that as discussion fodder, either.†† Instead it's usually "Huh, you seem like you just might not be a complete dullard. Would you mind proving it to us by taking this 3-hour HackerRank test? 'Coz we know you've got nothing but time. And you'll go through just about any number of hoops to get us to pay attention to you." † Even the ones who ask for it. †† Even when we patiently and politely point out the gaps and ambiguities, sometimes quite glaring, in their cute little "challenge" problems. Which, again, many to occur in at least around half of these exercises.

dominotw 10y ago

Are you still hiring by any chance? I am looking for a new gig and I have bunch of open source work but no one is actually looking at it all, one interviewer even admitted 'oh we don't look at that much, maybe towards the end'. Even though they asked for it in their hiring page. You are definitely an exception. Would be interesting to see which companies actually look at your github profile like they claim they do.