Ask HN: What do you look for in a software engineering candidate?

Re:Ask HN: What do you look for in a software engineering ca... by world32 on Sunday November 25, 2018 @09:27AM (#18526989)

Wow, you sound like a very tough person to interview for.

I agree that algorithm challenges are kind of pointless when it comes to software engineering but you can hardly blame the OP for doing them given that many companies do value them. And the OP did say they also have their own libraries on github and open source contributions too..

> Now if you don't have any uni friends pulling for you, I really have to think that you might just not be all that friendly, in that you might be standoffish or have some kind of personal trait that is putting people off.

That sounds quite harsh really. Makes me feel sorry for the people you interview who might be perfectly nice people to work with and capable of communicating but don't get hired because they aren't good at making friends or don't have "likeability" as you call it.

> Ego in programmers is the worst, and if someone is mansplaining to me in the interview, I almost never hire them (pet peeve).

Are you assuming that the programmer being interviewed is a man? Thats a bit sexist..

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Re:Ask HN: What do you look for in a software engineering ca... by mytaa on Sunday November 25, 2018 @10:42AM (#18527285)

I don't think it's as black and white as you put it here. A lot of it depends on the exact needs of the company.

Ability to solve algorithmic problems can indicate ability to find quick solutions to novel problems. I'm not sure how else could you test for it? Not everything can be googled, learnt quickly or have step by step instructions.

I think the "likability" also depends a lot on the job. Some jobs are more client facing, communication and mentoring than others. I don't think one is required to crack jokes, display complete confidence and have ability to discuss any topic, but there are definitely things you should not do. I'm not good at making friends and I dislike talking to people even though I don't show it, but I can still show myself in a positive light during interviews. I can pull the weight for 1 hour if I have prepared for it.

Not sure what was exactly meant with the "mansplaining" part, but I find this term extremely gross and unnecessary.

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Re:Ask HN: What do you look for in a software engineering ca... by world32 on Sunday November 25, 2018 @12:18PM (#18527727)

Algorithm challenges / whiteboard coding is a whole debate in itself. In fairness there are arguments on both sides I think.

As for likeability or having friends at university - I really don't think that is a fair thing to judge somebody on at all when interviewing for a programming position. I agree absolutely that personal skills and emotional intelligence are necessary for the job but being likeable? In a professional environment that should not matter one bit. Its also completely subjective.

And yes, the whole mansplaining thing is really quite obnoxious.

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Re:Ask HN: What do you look for in a software engineering ca... by why_only_15 on Wednesday November 28, 2018 @04:20AM (#18550257)

I think the argument for looking for likeability is that if everyone on the team likes one another then they probably work better together professionally. In my understanding the primary pitfall of this is that it can exclude perfectly competent developers. Not everyone needs to be friends.

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