4 ms·

Are there really people who apply for programming jobs but aren't able to write a simpler version of that program? I find it extremely hard to believe, but I'v

by rkon 15y ago

Are there really people who apply for programming jobs but aren't able to write a simpler version of that program? I find it extremely hard to believe, but I've read on two other blogs that it's a common test given to interviewees.

stefanrusek 15y ago
I've certainly had applicants who really struggled with it.
- rkon 15y ago
  Do you dictate the language in which it's written, or let them choose? That's the only thing I could see being a valid hangup for anyone applying to a programming job...
  - krallja 15y ago
    The position for which I use this question is titled "Experienced ASP.NET/C# Developer", so I really expect the candidate to know C#.
spamizbad 15y ago
It's not like a sea of qualified candidates lines up for every programming job. If you post a job listing on any major jobs board, 99% of the candidates that respond will be one of the following: 1) A contractor from another country (usually India) saying they'll do the same work on contract for some crazy low rate. 2) Someone who cannot write coherent English. 3) Someone CAN write coherent English and is NOT a contractor, but their resume shows that they are completely unqualified for the position. The kind of people who's most relevant qualification for "Senior Software Engineer" is "Microsoft Word, 50WPM" They likely just spammed their resume to every listing they saw. Lots of chaff, very little wheat. With that said, anyone can choke in an interview. When I was young and inexperienced I blanked when asked to write a linked-list in C++. The sad part? I anticipated this question and "practiced" it at home 3 before the interview transpired. Needless to say, I was red-cheeked after staring at a blank Whiteboard for what felt like an eternity (turns out it was only 5 minutes) - after which point I capped the marker, apologized for wasting the interviewers time, and left.
georgieporgie 15y ago
I was surprised at how many 'experienced' candidates came in for interviews at my last job who literally could not correctly code a 'for' loop.
DrStalker 15y ago
Most applicants are below average quality. This is because the good applicants get a job quickly while the bad ones go on to apply for many many more jobs. Add in the increasing number of people with no passion for programming who studied it simply because they thought is was an easy well paying job, and you have people that apply for programming jobs that lack basic capabilities.

by rkon 15y ago

stefanrusek 15y ago

I've certainly had applicants who really struggled with it.

rkon 15y ago
Do you dictate the language in which it's written, or let them choose? That's the only thing I could see being a valid hangup for anyone applying to a programming job...
- krallja 15y ago
  The position for which I use this question is titled "Experienced ASP.NET/C# Developer", so I really expect the candidate to know C#.

spamizbad 15y ago

It's not like a sea of qualified candidates lines up for every programming job. If you post a job listing on any major jobs board, 99% of the candidates that respond will be one of the following: 1) A contractor from another country (usually India) saying they'll do the same work on contract for some crazy low rate. 2) Someone who cannot write coherent English. 3) Someone CAN write coherent English and is NOT a contractor, but their resume shows that they are completely unqualified for the position. The kind of people who's most relevant qualification for "Senior Software Engineer" is "Microsoft Word, 50WPM" They likely just spammed their resume to every listing they saw. Lots of chaff, very little wheat. With that said, anyone can choke in an interview. When I was young and inexperienced I blanked when asked to write a linked-list in C++. The sad part? I anticipated this question and "practiced" it at home 3 before the interview transpired. Needless to say, I was red-cheeked after staring at a blank Whiteboard for what felt like an eternity (turns out it was only 5 minutes) - after which point I capped the marker, apologized for wasting the interviewers time, and left.

georgieporgie 15y ago

I was surprised at how many 'experienced' candidates came in for interviews at my last job who literally could not correctly code a 'for' loop.

DrStalker 15y ago

Most applicants are below average quality. This is because the good applicants get a job quickly while the bad ones go on to apply for many many more jobs. Add in the increasing number of people with no passion for programming who studied it simply because they thought is was an easy well paying job, and you have people that apply for programming jobs that lack basic capabilities.