3 ms·

You think that’s unbelievable? Google and Facebook recruiters told everyone at my university they expected people to spend 2-3 months of several hours a day le

by p1esk 6y ago

You think that’s unbelievable? Google and Facebook recruiters told everyone at my university they expected people to spend 2-3 months of several hours a day leetcode type practice before applying. This was said in a panel type "how to get a job at FAANG" seminar for graduating seniors, with actual Google/FB SWEs present, and all nodding in agreement that this is the norm.

neilv 6y ago
That time investment sounds like a tragic loss of open source development and random curious exploration by students. Maybe also quite a few lost innovative startups, which might've been spun out of students making things they want to make, rather than grinding just to prepare for interview rituals.
- Dzugaru 6y ago
  It can be a massive fun too. Ive never interviewed at FAANG, but solving some leetcode problems (mostly medium-hard though) was so cool for me and some of my friends. We were into olympic math at school, and I don't consider that a waste of time as well.
  - neilv 6y ago
    Good point. Practicing those exercises for sports-like competitions sounds great for people who want to do that for its own sake. But there seems to be a large societal opportunity cost to everyone spending several months practicing doing that on a whiteboard, specifically for job interviews.
  - Salgat 6y ago
    It's fun but for the most part boils down to software trivia, similar to Quiz Bowl. The key to succeeding with leetcode on the harder questions is memorization of things that frankly anyone can google up pretty quickly. It's a poor reflection of actual work.
Aeolun 6y ago
Lol, you win ;) That sounds terrifying.
joelbluminator 6y ago
I think it's definitely worth it for some people, at least financially. But many many others will study for months just to find out they can't make it no matter how much they prepare. I mean they accept how many - 2% of applicants? If you can look at it as a learning experience that's fine as well.
- foolmeonce 6y ago
  > If you can look at it as a learning experience that's fine as well. A gambling addiction is also something you get from (in)appropriate learning experiences.. I think Nordvig's view of programming and materials that fit a longer view of learning good style are likely to work against getting a job in this climate. You are more or less demonstrating your willingness to embrace the anti-patterns a company holds dear to the point that you could be stuck with them without even being considered for the job.

by p1esk 6y ago

neilv 6y ago

That time investment sounds like a tragic loss of open source development and random curious exploration by students. Maybe also quite a few lost innovative startups, which might've been spun out of students making things they want to make, rather than grinding just to prepare for interview rituals.

Dzugaru 6y ago
It can be a massive fun too. Ive never interviewed at FAANG, but solving some leetcode problems (mostly medium-hard though) was so cool for me and some of my friends. We were into olympic math at school, and I don't consider that a waste of time as well.
- neilv 6y ago
  Good point. Practicing those exercises for sports-like competitions sounds great for people who want to do that for its own sake. But there seems to be a large societal opportunity cost to everyone spending several months practicing doing that on a whiteboard, specifically for job interviews.
- Salgat 6y ago
  It's fun but for the most part boils down to software trivia, similar to Quiz Bowl. The key to succeeding with leetcode on the harder questions is memorization of things that frankly anyone can google up pretty quickly. It's a poor reflection of actual work.

Aeolun 6y ago

Lol, you win ;) That sounds terrifying.

joelbluminator 6y ago

I think it's definitely worth it for some people, at least financially. But many many others will study for months just to find out they can't make it no matter how much they prepare. I mean they accept how many - 2% of applicants? If you can look at it as a learning experience that's fine as well.

foolmeonce 6y ago
> If you can look at it as a learning experience that's fine as well. A gambling addiction is also something you get from (in)appropriate learning experiences.. I think Nordvig's view of programming and materials that fit a longer view of learning good style are likely to work against getting a job in this climate. You are more or less demonstrating your willingness to embrace the anti-patterns a company holds dear to the point that you could be stuck with them without even being considered for the job.