Re:How to solve a hard programming interview question
by virgilp on Wednesday November 29, 2017 @05:16AM
(#15805822)
> This is so artificial.
Right. It's an interview - artificial by definition, not meant to be perfect; in fact perfection in hiring (or in anything) is unachievable - we aim for the "good enough".
> Often I have to talk to many people, including non-programmers, to cover all angles of a hard problem.
Here we are - me and my colleague - there to answer questions, reflect on your thoughts, etc. Talk to us, that's exactly what I expect. Not just to give solutions, but to clarify the problem (for you and for us). Make us understand how you're looking at it - we'll also share our perspective and see if we can come up with something together.
Is this really something that you don't see happening, in practice?
Right. It's an interview - artificial by definition, not meant to be perfect; in fact perfection in hiring (or in anything) is unachievable - we aim for the "good enough".
> Often I have to talk to many people, including non-programmers, to cover all angles of a hard problem.
Here we are - me and my colleague - there to answer questions, reflect on your thoughts, etc. Talk to us, that's exactly what I expect. Not just to give solutions, but to clarify the problem (for you and for us). Make us understand how you're looking at it - we'll also share our perspective and see if we can come up with something together.
Is this really something that you don't see happening, in practice?