How to Rock an Algorithms Interview

Re:How to Rock an Algorithms Interview by kamaal on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @01:57AM (#3042065)

I would say that you will feel this way once you see someone doing half the difficult job you do, but because of his productivity and problem solving skills takes huge strides because of the lack of good folks in the 'outsourcing quality' work that you describe.

The day you see such a guy, you suddenly get a feeling about the what the hell are you doing being average among the crowd of algorithm writers, while you could actually be a leader earning great money and with a big designation.

As we age we carry on a lot of financial responsibilities and money will play a huge role in the choices you make. You may give a great interview and go on to work with the brightest engineers at google and get lost in the brilliant crowd. At that time when you start reviewing your choices, you will get a feeling that you could have been unmatchable only if you had chosen a more easier career path.

In short,

There is no point being an average guy among a crowd of brilliant people.

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Re:How to Rock an Algorithms Interview by pavelludiq on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @05:08AM (#3042500)

I have to disagree. How did those people become brilliant? Hanging around smarter people probably had something to do with it. That's why I joined HN in the first place, 1207 days ago I was probably among the most inexperienced, and stupid people on this site, probably still am, even though I've grown so much since. I think there is no shame in choosing the simpler route, but i can't make this choice for my self. I care too much about doing good work, even if i suck at it at the moment.

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Re:How to Rock an Algorithms Interview by kamaal on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @07:07AM (#3042759)

I am all for hanging out with smart people. Learning and working on tough problems. But If your even half serious about doing something big. Those leanings have to happen quickly. You will have to then go on by yourself. Do something on your own, lead and manage something big.

My point was that there is no benefit in being the average among the best. But you can do wonders by being the best among the averages.

Of course you can disagree with this. But more often, all you will need is certain guiding principles in life 'which you need to learn from smart people' after that you will have to the grind work individually on your own. The sooner you learn those principles the better. There is never going to be a situation where you will be carbon copying from those smart people all over the time.

The other sort of learning, is incremental learning which happens all time, regardless of where or what work you do. Regarding specific life changing learnings, there are only going to very few of those in your whole life.

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