If you (still) work at Twitter and you can code, head to the HQ now

Re:If you (still) work at Twitter and you can code, head to ... by s1artibartfast on Saturday November 19, 2022 @01:59AM (#33667763)

Of course nobody is excited to explain what value they provide on short notice to keep their job. Nobody likes getting fired either.

I agree that these exercises are neither measured, careful, or well coached.

It is a blunt and imperfect way to see who codes at all, who can articulate their job, who can handle uncertainty and pressure, and also who will follow orders.

Taking a screenshot and explaining your code is not some impossible task. People just don't like the stakes.

My point is that it seems like people are overly focusing and critical of the request itself, when when request is a practical way to meet the goal. it just happens that the goal is crazy, unmeasured, rash.

I agree it is out of line from what people want and expect. I'm not sure there is any way to cut >75% of staff and gut a company culture in weeks that would fit the expectations and desires of employees. The situation is unheard of.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:If you (still) work at Twitter and you can code, head to ... by hamburglar on Saturday November 19, 2022 @03:26AM (#33668240)

Ok, well everything you’ve said in this subthread up until here has seemed to defend the request as reasonable. That is the confusing part. Our entire conversation still works if we swap in “please measure the length of your forearm and report to the 10th floor” for the request. It’s an unreasonable and arbitrary way to compare employees for immediate dismissal, yet it’s definitely a way that would let you cut 75% if that was your goal.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:If you (still) work at Twitter and you can code, head to ... by s1artibartfast on Saturday November 19, 2022 @11:48AM (#33671757)

I'm saying that I wouldn't like it, but it is a reasonable request to expect a worker to be able to perform it.

I think that it's imperfect but probably an moderately effective way to compare employees for immediate dismissal. I would not like facing immediate dismissal.

I think the difference is that I don't think it is nearly as arbitrary as you do.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:If you (still) work at Twitter and you can code, head to ... by hamburglar on Saturday November 19, 2022 @01:07PM (#33672813)

Yeah. I think when done this hastily, it’s gonna be pretty arbitrary. Otherwise we’d always do it this way.

[ Parent | on HN ]