This. I think I'm still technically in the "junior" category (coming up on four years of experience not counting internships) but I'm pretty much financially in

This. I think I'm still technically in the "junior" category (coming up on four years of experience not counting internships) but I'm pretty much financially independent at this point. I only really stay employed for luxuries, funding for side projects, and the very good health insurance (and the whole "having responsibilities orders your life" thing but I know well how easy coasting is.) I have to imagine senior SWEs have a very very low tolerance for BS and can demand quite a lot. Speaking of BS that 4hr take home project without even having a salary range is a lot. Even for Junior engineers here we have the manager and a couple engineers sit with the candidate during the coding test.