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So what should software engineers who are "merely" doing solid and great programming on "average" and typical applications respond? It's not like programmers ca

by nawitus 13y ago

So what should software engineers who are "merely" doing solid and great programming on "average" and typical applications respond? It's not like programmers can pick and choose difficult projects.

eli 13y ago
They literally don't have one thing that was a significant accomplishment? Something from school? From outside work? That wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but for someone who supposedly has a bit of experience it's a red flag.
- danielweber 13y ago
  What does "significant" mean? I've worked on many great projects that have ended up going nowhere, sometimes because the market simply didn't materialize, sometimes because management pulled the plug just before shipping, sometimes because the whole company went bankrupt because funding dried up because our lead investor was on a plane that some terrorists blew into a building. These "how to hire the best people!" articles are worse than "Cosmo" giving dating advice to teenage girls.
  - eli 13y ago
    It means whatever you want it to mean. The point is to get you talking about a project you care about. About the specifics rather than generalities. Your comment sounds like a perfectly fine answer to me. I personally would ask you which project was the most interesting to work on? Or which were you most disappointed by when it didn't ship? And why. At least, that's what I'm looking for when I ask it.
300bps 13y ago
I think you have hit the nail on the head regarding the purpose of the question. The question is used to find stars. That is, someone who is 50x more productive than programmers: "merely" doing solid and great programming on "average" and typical applications
- nawitus 13y ago
  The article didn't say it's only used to find stars.
- matdes 13y ago
  that whole 10x 50x bullshit is a myth.
  - 300bps 13y ago
    You haven't met a true star then. I have been in IT for over 20 years and I've seen a handful.

by nawitus 13y ago

So what should software engineers who are "merely" doing solid and great programming on "average" and typical applications respond? It's not like programmers can pick and choose difficult projects.

eli 13y ago

They literally don't have one thing that was a significant accomplishment? Something from school? From outside work? That wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but for someone who supposedly has a bit of experience it's a red flag.

danielweber 13y ago
What does "significant" mean? I've worked on many great projects that have ended up going nowhere, sometimes because the market simply didn't materialize, sometimes because management pulled the plug just before shipping, sometimes because the whole company went bankrupt because funding dried up because our lead investor was on a plane that some terrorists blew into a building. These "how to hire the best people!" articles are worse than "Cosmo" giving dating advice to teenage girls.
- eli 13y ago
  It means whatever you want it to mean. The point is to get you talking about a project you care about. About the specifics rather than generalities. Your comment sounds like a perfectly fine answer to me. I personally would ask you which project was the most interesting to work on? Or which were you most disappointed by when it didn't ship? And why. At least, that's what I'm looking for when I ask it.

300bps 13y ago

I think you have hit the nail on the head regarding the purpose of the question. The question is used to find stars. That is, someone who is 50x more productive than programmers: "merely" doing solid and great programming on "average" and typical applications

nawitus 13y ago
The article didn't say it's only used to find stars.
matdes 13y ago
that whole 10x 50x bullshit is a myth.
- 300bps 13y ago
  You haven't met a true star then. I have been in IT for over 20 years and I've seen a handful.