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Advice on getting a job as a software engineer without a technical interview? Literally 100% of the dozens of interviews I've had in my life were coding intervi

by hsksbr 7y ago

Advice on getting a job as a software engineer without a technical interview? Literally 100% of the dozens of interviews I've had in my life were coding interviews.

Google234 7y ago
I don't see how asking a potential software engineer to write a 30 line function in 30 minutes is bad. Being able to write code is part of the job description.
- lwansbrough 7y ago
  I don’t need to “prove” that I can write code by memorizing an algorithm. I have made more than enough code available on my GitHub which I’d be happy to explain in depth with anyone who is interested. Not interested? Great, you’ve made it easier for me to make my decision.
  - milemi 7y ago
    Sounds to me like the uninterested person is the one who made the decision.
    - spunker540 7y ago
      Yeah if they’re not interested in the only evidence of ability you’re willing to provide, then I think you’re not being considered in the first place.
- pmiller2 7y ago
  Depending on what those 30 lines are supposed to do and whether they have to be asymptotically optimal at doing it, writing down 30 lines of code while talking about every decision you’re making, to show the “thought process” might very well be more than a 30 minute task.
lwansbrough 7y ago
Have projects available online that showcase your ability/ingenuity/creativity. Just reject the technical interview and explain your reasoning, offer an alternative. Works for me because I don’t want to work anywhere where interviews aren’t being conducted by people competent enough to handle fluid requirements.
jpindar 7y ago
Be willing to work for a company whose product is not software.
- jpindar 7y ago
  I didn't mean to imply that this is the only way, just that it's a way that has worked for me. I've worked with embedded systems and with desktop software that was used by my employers (electronics manufacturers) rather than sold by them, and I have never been asked to code in an interview.

by hsksbr 7y ago

Advice on getting a job as a software engineer without a technical interview? Literally 100% of the dozens of interviews I've had in my life were coding interviews.

Google234 7y ago

I don't see how asking a potential software engineer to write a 30 line function in 30 minutes is bad. Being able to write code is part of the job description.

lwansbrough 7y ago
I don’t need to “prove” that I can write code by memorizing an algorithm. I have made more than enough code available on my GitHub which I’d be happy to explain in depth with anyone who is interested. Not interested? Great, you’ve made it easier for me to make my decision.
- milemi 7y ago
  Sounds to me like the uninterested person is the one who made the decision.
  - spunker540 7y ago
    Yeah if they’re not interested in the only evidence of ability you’re willing to provide, then I think you’re not being considered in the first place.
pmiller2 7y ago
Depending on what those 30 lines are supposed to do and whether they have to be asymptotically optimal at doing it, writing down 30 lines of code while talking about every decision you’re making, to show the “thought process” might very well be more than a 30 minute task.

lwansbrough 7y ago

Have projects available online that showcase your ability/ingenuity/creativity. Just reject the technical interview and explain your reasoning, offer an alternative. Works for me because I don’t want to work anywhere where interviews aren’t being conducted by people competent enough to handle fluid requirements.

jpindar 7y ago

Be willing to work for a company whose product is not software.

jpindar 7y ago
I didn't mean to imply that this is the only way, just that it's a way that has worked for me. I've worked with embedded systems and with desktop software that was used by my employers (electronics manufacturers) rather than sold by them, and I have never been asked to code in an interview.