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Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by kenhwang on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @05:16PM (#18445449)
> 8. That having decent people skills makes my technical skills suspect, in the eyes of some.

I'm questioning how true this is, especially in today's world of whiteboard interviews and open office spaces. My personal experience seems to suggest that better people skills suggest better technical skill, especially to management.

Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by watwut on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @06:15PM (#18445797)
I have seen that. I also seen people openly talking about social skills being opposite of coding skills and literally making implications about others. I have seen people pretend lower social skill then they actually have.

The most common through is assuming that someone with bad social skills is genius in coding with zero grounds for it. Without seeing code or even talking with those who know his code closely, anything like that. Assumption was that that those people are better in coding because got knows why. I suspect part of it is wish to compensate, but part is stereotype.

Open offices have nothing with it, except making people with poor social skills more actively annoying. Which can cancel some of effect I guess.

Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by avgDev on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @05:35PM (#18445578)
Not long ago, I failed two sql whiteboard problems and passed 2 c# problems. I was informed by HR that they are making me an offer based on my great people skills, even though I failed their SQL quesitons.

I sucked at white boarding(still do because I don't like grinding leetcode before interviews, and I usually make it known). When I first started interviewing I needed like 10 minutes to come up with palindrome solution even though I did it in school so many times. That time I also received an offer.

Now, that I think of it I my success rate is 75% and that includes a fortune 1k company. However, it is a pretty small sample size. Now, that I think of it I need to interview more.

Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by uptownfunk on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @07:03PM (#18446075)
Very true. Back when I was trying to become a dev I'd show up in a suit and try to be as socially pleasant as possible. When I started dressing more sloppy, not shaving, etc. and being slightly more awkward (mimicing the interviewer) I actually started getting offers..
Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by kenhwang on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @08:32PM (#18446624)
I think that fits into 4 more than 8. You have good enough people skill to recognize that you're different than the interviewer, and then putting up an facade to convince them you're like them.

People with poor people skills incidentally act similar to other people with poor people skills. People with good people skills can choose to act similar to people with poor people skills.

Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by danielh96 on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @05:33PM (#18445564)
I feel like they might be referring to peers here rather than management
Re:Things nobody told me about being a software engineer by AnimalMuppet on Tuesday November 13, 2018 @05:33PM (#18445555)
Given the author's name, I think she's female. I fear that, for a female, #8 is more likely to be true than for a male.