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I don't know about the coding section of the IT world, but I know when it comes to IT security, job posts requiring degrees are usually just there as a formalit

I don't know about the coding section of the IT world, but I know when it comes to IT security, job posts requiring degrees are usually just there as a formality. It's more of a recommendation than it is a requirement. The key factor is to never not apply because you don't have the degree they want. If they are a company with any sense, they will take your experience much more seriously than they do any formal education. Granted almost all modern coding jobs require you to take a real time coding test through something like a Skype call, so you have to be able to back up the skills you put down.

oblib 9y ago
Ok, thank you for that. One of the reasons I got to thinking about this is I read a piece on doing well in an interview and it mentioned a "Fizz/Buzz" test, which I'd never heard of, and it gave an example of one. I looked at it and thought it seemed pretty simple and I'd never even heard of a "Fibonacci sequence" (I had to play with that some more though because it's just fun). But a solution was as easy to code as I expected so that left me a little baffled. I can see how it demonstrates one's ability to implement logic, but it left me wondering if the bar is that low to get hired or if there are that many applicants that could not solve it needing to be weeded out? If the latter is the case, how did they get a degree? (Or maybe the example was very simple, I really do not know because I've not been anywhere near a "tech center" and don't get to hang out much with those who work in the industry)
- _ah 9y ago
  You would be SHOCKED at how many promising-sounding candidates show up in an interview completely unable to write Fizz/Buzz, or Fibonacci, or strrev(). Or they can write it, but it takes 10 minutes. I've seen this so many times and I still have trouble believing it (though the rate has improved somewhat with better up-front screening techniques).
  - mrfusion 9y ago
    A lot of them are just nervous or have performance anxiety. It’s a real thing. I’ve seen brilliant coders completely bomb interviews.

oblib 9y ago

Ok, thank you for that. One of the reasons I got to thinking about this is I read a piece on doing well in an interview and it mentioned a "Fizz/Buzz" test, which I'd never heard of, and it gave an example of one. I looked at it and thought it seemed pretty simple and I'd never even heard of a "Fibonacci sequence" (I had to play with that some more though because it's just fun). But a solution was as easy to code as I expected so that left me a little baffled. I can see how it demonstrates one's ability to implement logic, but it left me wondering if the bar is that low to get hired or if there are that many applicants that could not solve it needing to be weeded out? If the latter is the case, how did they get a degree? (Or maybe the example was very simple, I really do not know because I've not been anywhere near a "tech center" and don't get to hang out much with those who work in the industry)

_ah 9y ago
You would be SHOCKED at how many promising-sounding candidates show up in an interview completely unable to write Fizz/Buzz, or Fibonacci, or strrev(). Or they can write it, but it takes 10 minutes. I've seen this so many times and I still have trouble believing it (though the rate has improved somewhat with better up-front screening techniques).
- mrfusion 9y ago
  A lot of them are just nervous or have performance anxiety. It’s a real thing. I’ve seen brilliant coders completely bomb interviews.