Interviewing Red Flags

https://afreshcup.com/home/2019/06/08/interviewing-red-flags

by ingve • 7 years ago

5 2 7 years ago

drugme• 7 years ago

Whiteboard interviews that ask me to develop an algorithm to reverse a string, insert an item into a linked list, or similar nonsense. I've never worked somewhere that this was important to know, and if it was, I would look it up. Bonus "no thanks" points if the interviewer doesn't think something like string.reverse() is a good answer.

This stance is fine if you're a "product-oriented" developer (like the author seems to be, going by his profile). And which is of course a fine thing to be - if that's what's needed in your environment. We all fit on that spectrum somewhere.

In other environments we do in fact need people who consider "algorithms" like string reversal (even in place!) to be quite trivial (in the sense that yes, every engineer on the team should be able to whip out something like that cold). And frankly it would give us the willies to work with someone who couldn't.

That said -- whiteboard tests, per se, are almost invariably gratuitously shitty experiences for all parties involved, even when conducted properly (and much of the time they simply aren't).

And more to the point, unnecessary (or at best, blunt instruments) or sussing out whether someone has the chops you're looking for. I find it's quite easy in fact to tell (usually within 10-15 minutes at the most) whether someone knows their stuff, or is bullshitting, or... simply doesn't care about the finer points. There's no need to "grill" them -- they'll pretty much come right out and tell you.

Case in point - the author of this blog post.

mailslot• 7 years ago

To add: Short stints on a résumé are warning signs for a hiring manager. Too much concern about them is a warning sign for an applicant.

I’ve encountered a handful of companies that expect applicants to have been with their previous company for five+ years.

It’s not always the case, but it can be a sign of a toxic work environment. It’s important to discuss, because it can also just the result of recently losing a key employee.

If they demand a verbal commitment, a proving period, or some other type of assurance: run.

Interviewing Red Flags

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