4 ms·

This is like complaining that you need to write an application essay to get into college. "But I'm not going to be a writer..." If the company is awesome, just

by grinich 13y ago

This is like complaining that you need to write an application essay to get into college. "But I'm not going to be a writer..." If the company is awesome, just suck it up for a day. Once you join you can try to change the interviewing process. I think the thing most people don't realize is that these traditional "interviewing" techniques (like whiteboard coding) are just what gets you in the door. Your real interview starts on day 1, and if you don't perform at the real task, you'll be asked to leave. Writing sorting algorithms is like tuning a guitar. It's true there exist people who are good at tuning but actually terrible at playing (ie: good at puzzles, but lousy programmers). But there are few, if any, amazing guitarists who can't quickly tune an instrument. It's a signal.

vonmoltke 13y ago
> This is like complaining that you need to write an application essay to get into college. "But I'm not going to be a writer..." If my application essay was graded for spelling, grammar, sentence construction, complexity, and other features like I were writing for the AP English exam, I would agree completely with that statement. However, the purpose of such an essay is to communicate why you will succeed in your studies and why the university should admit you. Yes, it takes a minimum level of writing proficiency to do this, but that should be secondary to the message. If you are a university admissions officer who is grading essays on proficiency you should be fired for not doing your job properly. > If the company is awesome, just suck it up for a day. Once you join you can try to change the interviewing process. Which just perpetuates the system. > I think the thing most people don't realize is that these traditional "interviewing" techniques (like whiteboard coding) are just what gets you in the door. Your real interview starts on day 1, and if you don't perform at the real task, you'll be asked to leave. Then why the hell are you doing them? Just randomly choose a resume that has enough buzzwords and make that person an offer. > Writing sorting algorithms is like tuning a guitar. It's true there exist people who are good at tuning but actually terrible at playing (ie: good at puzzles, but lousy programmers). > But there are few, if any, amazing guitarists who can't quickly tune an instrument. It's a signal. Writing sorting algorithms for a software developer is like tuning a guitar for a musician. Both are broad terms that cover a number of specialties. Most specialties of software developer can write efficient sorting algorithms, but some can't because they have no need to. If you want to hire a guitarist, advertise that you are looking for a guitarist; don't advertise that you are looking for a musician and reject everyone who isn't a guitarist at the interview stage.
RogerL 13y ago
I should take a day off work, go get mis-measured and stressed out due to the poor interview style, get hired into a job I cannot do, and get fired because you mis-measured me. No. Thank you, but no.
sjclemmy 13y ago
> Writing sorting algorithms is like tuning a guitar.... I know it's not meant literally but, I play guitar and write code. I couldn't play the guitar without having to tune it, so yeah, I can tune a guitar quickly by ear in order to play it, but I can only remember one instance of writing a sort algorithm - it's just not necessary in some domains.

by grinich 13y ago

vonmoltke 13y ago

> This is like complaining that you need to write an application essay to get into college. "But I'm not going to be a writer..." If my application essay was graded for spelling, grammar, sentence construction, complexity, and other features like I were writing for the AP English exam, I would agree completely with that statement. However, the purpose of such an essay is to communicate why you will succeed in your studies and why the university should admit you. Yes, it takes a minimum level of writing proficiency to do this, but that should be secondary to the message. If you are a university admissions officer who is grading essays on proficiency you should be fired for not doing your job properly. > If the company is awesome, just suck it up for a day. Once you join you can try to change the interviewing process. Which just perpetuates the system. > I think the thing most people don't realize is that these traditional "interviewing" techniques (like whiteboard coding) are just what gets you in the door. Your real interview starts on day 1, and if you don't perform at the real task, you'll be asked to leave. Then why the hell are you doing them? Just randomly choose a resume that has enough buzzwords and make that person an offer. > Writing sorting algorithms is like tuning a guitar. It's true there exist people who are good at tuning but actually terrible at playing (ie: good at puzzles, but lousy programmers). > But there are few, if any, amazing guitarists who can't quickly tune an instrument. It's a signal. Writing sorting algorithms for a software developer is like tuning a guitar for a musician. Both are broad terms that cover a number of specialties. Most specialties of software developer can write efficient sorting algorithms, but some can't because they have no need to. If you want to hire a guitarist, advertise that you are looking for a guitarist; don't advertise that you are looking for a musician and reject everyone who isn't a guitarist at the interview stage.

RogerL 13y ago

I should take a day off work, go get mis-measured and stressed out due to the poor interview style, get hired into a job I cannot do, and get fired because you mis-measured me. No. Thank you, but no.

sjclemmy 13y ago

> Writing sorting algorithms is like tuning a guitar.... I know it's not meant literally but, I play guitar and write code. I couldn't play the guitar without having to tune it, so yeah, I can tune a guitar quickly by ear in order to play it, but I can only remember one instance of writing a sort algorithm - it's just not necessary in some domains.