4 ms·
The "brainteaser" question type in the survey is just another type of question. If you've seen/practiced Fermi estimates, it's pretty rote. If you've never seen
by srinivgp 8y ago
The "brainteaser" question type in the survey is just another type of question. If you've seen/practiced Fermi estimates, it's pretty rote. If you've never seen/practiced Fermi estimates, it will sound like a horrible trick question. I wonder how well it would work to begin with "are you comfortable with Fermi estimates?". If so, go ahead and ask. If not, _teach_, do a couple together, then have the candidate do one on their own. The technique isn't hard, it's just surprising that it can work and work pretty well if you haven't already been exposed.
- hfdgiutdryg 8y ago"Fermi estimate" questions are stupid most of the time. Why? Because they leave out the educated part of educated guess. The idea is that inaccuracies in a series of educated guesses would tend to even out (though they're just as likely to compound). There is no such tendency in blind guesses, which is what most of these questions require.
- hyperpape 8y agoThis might be a bit less sadistic, but I still think it's pointless. You have 30 minutes or an hour with a candidate. Why is this question the one that will tell you the most about whether they'd be a good hire?