5 ms·
I was able to read the article before it got hugged to death by HN. That said, like many similar interview/hiring stories shared here, it reeks of single-sided
by sjroot 8y ago
I was able to read the article before it got hugged to death by HN.
That said, like many similar interview/hiring stories shared here, it reeks of single-sidedness. Specifically, there is not enough detail regarding your interactions with the interviewers to warrant calling this a horror story. The only points of interest in this piece, in my opinion, were that the interviewers were late and there was a clear communication issue (particularly when it came to scheduling the interviews).
Other than that, all we know is that you tripped up during some of your interviews. In those situations, based on your post, it was never really your fault, which is not the best attitude to have.
Finally, them saying that your engineering skills needed more work shouldn’t be insulting. Amazon hires tons of engineers and they are generally very technically competent. However good you think you are, there are millions who are just as good, and there are thousands who are better. Amazon can only hire so many people and this was likely their way of saying they simply had more candidates with more experience.
I know it is frustrating. I can say this because I have absolutely been in your shoes. (Dream job, all the way to the last stage, then no offer.) At the end of the day, we have to acknowledge the competitiveness of our field and use that to drive us to become better.
- jstewartmobile 8y agoFor anyone who knows their stuff, this field is a golden ticket, and you don't need to work for some asshole like Bezos to cash it in. The whole process outlined in the post was needlessly disrespectful of the candidate and his time. I wouldn't excuse a Godless megacorp like Amazon with this awful scarcity mindset. It is poison.
- ravenstine 8y agoThis HN thread is a shocking reminder of how many people view corporate sadism as normal or even good. That kind of nonsense is what engineers should be shielded from, not the other way around. I prefer to keep my dignity, thanks.
- jstewartmobile 8y agoYep. Sometimes I don't know why I bother to comment on these things. Cosmic justice would probably be better served if we just kept our mouths shut, and let them make their own beds.
- RyanOD 8y agoI completely agree with your assessment. At least once a week I deal with people being late for meetings / interviews / whatever. Heck, sometimes it's me running late. That's just how life happens sometimes. Yes, in an interview situation, we all want to be treated well and for the interviewers to be prompt and positive. When they fall short, however, it's a far cry from a "horror story". Just my opinion.
- Aeolun 8y agoIf it happens once, sure. If the entire process is people forgetting, rescheduling and changing things, it isn’t really isolated any more.
- jaggederest 8y agoAs Mr. Fleming put it: > Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is an enemy action.
- tracker1 8y agoMy understanding is that a lot of this abrasiveness on interview day (third interview for me as well) is mainly about judging response and culture fit. I found out a lot more a few months after my own similar experience with Amazon. I think MS's lot drops are far more egregious though. The keys are not to let it phase you, stay positive and ask clarifying questions to give clear answers. It's often far more about personality than you may think.
- Aeolun 8y agoWhy would I have reason to be abrasive? Am I expecting people in the company to act like that on a daily basis? Honestly, I just need to know that they can code to the level expected, work together, and aren’t completely looney.
- tracker1 8y agoLOL, I'm not saying I agree with the practice. That said, many of the most impressive programmers I've met were less than typical in terms of personality. Being able to work with all types, including when a person is having a bad or rough day is important. There are times when you've been working 16-18 hour days for a few days and can get cranky. I've worked with all types of personalities. The only ones that ever really bugged me were the excessively arrogant. Some types just grate on you. It's how you deal with and interact that is important. Can you get along with people that are different? Different backgrounds, personalities, cold, super-warm, etc. The culture fit is incredibly important for good or bad. One person can make a team very toxic very quickly.
- rorykoehler 8y ago>working 16-18 hour days I hope not. If so management need to be replaced
- sethammons 8y agoIf that is regular, yeah. I took it as that happens for a few days in a row irregularly. If once or twice a year, one finds oneself (and, presumably their team) in an unusual crunch or fighting fires for a couple of days, that does not strike me as unreasonable.