I suspect OP is in a space both professionally and physically where the job market is poor and a ton of cruddy candidates show up. I relate though, although I'

I suspect OP is in a space both professionally and physically where the job market is poor and a ton of cruddy candidates show up. I relate though, although I'm in Seattle area, which is a great place - I interview really badly. I strongly agree that hoops are getting added. However, I have found that great companies do compete on hiring process. Microsoft remains the Gold Standard for me in how fast they turnaround their hiring when it gets going. > The job search takes much, much longer than it used to. No. I'm picky and I don't practice stupid questions. It's always taken a long time for me. If you hit the right company and have the right skills, it'll be under two weeks for a hire though. > No one believes that anyone can actually code. Yes. > Coding Tests Can Trip Up Even Good Engineers Yep. Probably 10% of the time I have a "frick, I blanked" moment. > Extensive homework is now normal. Nope. Find better companies? > Every company’s “process” is different Every company believes they are snowflakes. > Outsourced hiring “services” are very much in vogue Yes, but I think this relates to competitive hiring spaces with lots of poor candidates. > Companies Really Want to Know Your Salary; Don’t tell Them Sigh. > Interviews Matter Much, Much More to You Than to the Company Yep. > Age discrimination really exists. I'm definitely not looking as young as I used to and it worries me. > You’ll never really know why you weren’t hired. That's because they don't want to be sued.