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I've had software engineering interviews that started with a written exam on general math, linear algebra, pseudocode and a little system design. It was quite e

by 46Bit 9y ago

I've had software engineering interviews that started with a written exam on general math, linear algebra, pseudocode and a little system design. It was quite enjoyable and refreshing compared to most verbal interviews.

geebee 9y ago
Sounds like a good match for you. I actually kind of enjoyed studying for and even taking my google exams. My day job often involves a lot of very intense and intricate work, but not necessarily fun concepts. I actually enjoy trying to figure out how to find all matching subtrees in a general tree, or all the permutations of a subset and whether they can be reassembled to enclose a different set, and how to do this efficiently. It actually is sorta fun. Unfortunately, getting sharp enough at this where I can handle new questions like this in 45 minutes at a whiteboard was a bit much for me. I might be able to do it with several months of intense study. I was surprised with the amount of process they really do expect you to make at the whiteboard in 45 minute (the reason given for the no hire was that I analyzed problems well but just didn't make enough coding progress. who knows what that really means, they may have just been being nice). Honestly, it may be a good filter. It shows that I either 1) am not quite sharp enough to get to this level within a couple of weeks, or 2) am unable or unwilling to invest the amount of time necessary to get myself to this level over a greater period of time (i.e., I have other life demands that prevent me from doing so, or am otherwise disinclined to do so). That may give a tech employer some key information about my ability to devote myself to the job to the extent they would like.
sidlls 9y ago
That wasn't a software engineering interview. That was a programming interview. There's a rather large difference.
magic_beans 9y ago
It's amazing how what can be "enjoyable and refreshing" to one can be the zenith of horror to another...
- 46Bit 9y ago
  Yeah! Ask me in a few years and I'm sure feel equally horrified. This stuff is very fresh in my mind at the minute, but it'll fade :-)

by 46Bit 9y ago

geebee 9y ago

Sounds like a good match for you. I actually kind of enjoyed studying for and even taking my google exams. My day job often involves a lot of very intense and intricate work, but not necessarily fun concepts. I actually enjoy trying to figure out how to find all matching subtrees in a general tree, or all the permutations of a subset and whether they can be reassembled to enclose a different set, and how to do this efficiently. It actually is sorta fun. Unfortunately, getting sharp enough at this where I can handle new questions like this in 45 minutes at a whiteboard was a bit much for me. I might be able to do it with several months of intense study. I was surprised with the amount of process they really do expect you to make at the whiteboard in 45 minute (the reason given for the no hire was that I analyzed problems well but just didn't make enough coding progress. who knows what that really means, they may have just been being nice). Honestly, it may be a good filter. It shows that I either 1) am not quite sharp enough to get to this level within a couple of weeks, or 2) am unable or unwilling to invest the amount of time necessary to get myself to this level over a greater period of time (i.e., I have other life demands that prevent me from doing so, or am otherwise disinclined to do so). That may give a tech employer some key information about my ability to devote myself to the job to the extent they would like.

sidlls 9y ago

That wasn't a software engineering interview. That was a programming interview. There's a rather large difference.

magic_beans 9y ago

It's amazing how what can be "enjoyable and refreshing" to one can be the zenith of horror to another...

46Bit 9y ago
Yeah! Ask me in a few years and I'm sure feel equally horrified. This stuff is very fresh in my mind at the minute, but it'll fade :-)