Programming Interview is Broken

Summary

The speaker, a seasoned software engineer with 25 years of experience, expresses frustration with the current programming interview process. They argue that entry-level questions are a waste of time for experienced candidates and question the effectiveness of technical interviews in assessing a candidate's suitability for senior roles. The speaker also criticizes take-home assignments for being too nitpicky and calls for a reevaluation of interview practices, which they believe are hindering companies from hiring the right talent efficiently.

Takeaways

• 😕 The current programming interview process is seen as broken, especially for experienced developers.
• 👨‍🎓 Entry-level questions are often asked to experienced engineers, which feels like a waste of time and doesn't reflect their expertise.
• 📄 Verifying resume truthfulness is important, but the method of questioning should be more tailored to the candidate's experience.
• 🏢 Long-term employees might not have learned all the latest technologies, but that doesn't mean they lack skills.
• 🙅‍♂️ Technical questions, even in take-home tests, can be too nitpicky and filter out good candidates for minor mistakes.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that the interview process should be rethought to better assess a candidate's abilities and fit for a role.
• 🚫 Companies are struggling to hire due to poor interview practices, which can take months and still result in a poor fit.
• 📉 The current market situation, with many layoffs, doesn't necessarily mean companies are not hurting to hire the right people.
• 🤷‍♂️ The speaker has tried to improve the interview process in the past but found resistance from higher-ups who prefer traditional methods.
• 🔧 There's a need for a change in the interview process, but it's challenging to implement due to the influence of established companies like Google and Facebook.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel that the current programming interview process is ineffective for experienced programmers?

The speaker believes that the interview process often includes basic technical questions suitable for entry-level candidates, which do not accurately assess the skills and experience of a seasoned software engineer with 25 years of experience.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to traditional technical questions in interviews?

The speaker implies that interviewers should ask questions that verify the truthfulness of the candidate's resume and explore what they know and don't know, rather than relying solely on technical questions that can be answered by junior engineers as well.

Why does the speaker criticize the use of take-home assignments in the interview process?

The speaker criticizes take-home assignments because they believe these tasks are more appropriate for junior to mid-level engineers and that they can unfairly filter out strong candidates due to minor mistakes.

What issue does the speaker see with companies filtering candidates based on minor mistakes in take-home assignments?

The speaker argues that minor mistakes should not be a reason to disqualify a candidate, as everyone makes mistakes and the candidate might still be a valuable addition to the team.

What does the speaker think is the impact of poor hiring practices on companies?

The speaker suggests that poor hiring practices can lead to companies struggling to fill positions for extended periods, which can be detrimental to the company's operations and growth.

What is the speaker's view on the current job market and its challenges?

The speaker acknowledges that while the job market might be difficult currently due to recent layoffs, the underlying issue of inefficient hiring practices persists and contributes to the struggle in hiring qualified candidates.

Why does the speaker feel frustrated with the status quo of technical interviews in the industry?

The speaker is frustrated because they have tried to improve the interview process in other companies, but decision-makers such as directors and VPs are resistant to change, often citing industry giants like Google and Facebook as justification for their methods.

What comparison does the speaker make between the adoption of technical interviews and agile practices?

The speaker compares the reluctance to change technical interviews to the widespread adoption of agile and scrum practices, suggesting that the status quo is maintained because it is perceived as a safe choice, despite its flaws.

What does the speaker imply about the role of large tech companies in shaping interview practices?

The speaker implies that large tech companies, such as Google and Facebook, set the standard for interview practices, which other companies follow without questioning their effectiveness or suitability for all candidates.

What does the speaker call for in terms of improving the interview process for experienced engineers?

The speaker calls for a reevaluation of the interview process to better accommodate the experience and skills of senior engineers, rather than relying on standardized questions that do not differentiate between levels of expertise.

What is the speaker's final sentiment regarding their ability to influence changes in the interview process?

The speaker expresses a sense of helplessness, as their attempts to influence changes in the interview process have been largely unsuccessful, and decision-makers are not receptive to their suggestions.