Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out if I can code

Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by nappy-doo on Monday October 21, 2013 @04:05AM (#6584046)

I have experienced "interviews" like this from the other end. I told YC funded founders I'm not interested in their job if this is how they interview. In my opinion, it shows inability to make a decision.

I am an excellent developer, with years of experience in the industry. I know lots of technologies, and already have a great job. There is no reason for me to spend personal time writing your projects, when I would be rewarded by spending personal time on my employer's projects.

"Interviews" like this will only grab candidates with nothing better to do than to fulltime interview with your company. In my opinion, the best people already have jobs, and you're excluding them from the process.

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by tbassetto on Monday October 21, 2013 @07:12AM (#6584671)

I forgot to precise that if the candidate has an (significant) open source project we use it instead of sending the assignment.

I hope no company will make their decision just because a candidate says that he is an excellent developer ;)

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by epo on Monday October 21, 2013 @08:02AM (#6584882)

"I am an excellent developer, with years of experience", but seemingly unable or unwilling to complete a small practical test. Sounds to me like they are good at weeding out the wrong people.

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by nappy-doo on Monday October 21, 2013 @08:47AM (#6585081)

Check my comment history. I work at Google. I stand on that.

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by lawnchair_larry on Monday October 21, 2013 @12:33PM (#6586598)

What makes you think "I work at Google" provides sufficient data to an interviewer such that they should exempt you from their interviewing process? The fact that you have a job somewhere else says very little.

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by nappy-doo on Monday October 21, 2013 @02:00PM (#6587158)

I'm not saying I'm immune from interviews. I'm saying it's proof I have chops.

Technical interviewing in a broken process. I've given almost 200 technical interviews at Google, and I've seen all kinds of results. But, I believe Google's results. Having worked at Google longer than anywhere else I've ever worked, I can say that the people are incredible, and it's a direct result of the interviewing process. We interview someone for a set number of interviews (N≤8 nowadays) and we make a decision. I can count on one hand the number of people I think are deadwood.

All I'm saying is the "interview" process of having people do projects for you is broken. You will filter out a lot of people with jobs they are kicking butt at.

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by sebkomianos on Monday October 21, 2013 @08:50AM (#6585097)

If you have a great job there is no reason for you to spend personal time participating in any kind of interviewing process.

Also, who says "I am an excellent developer"?

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by nappy-doo on Monday October 21, 2013 @08:54AM (#6585116)

You should always be looking for jobs. I got my present job at Google even when I was quite happy with my previous work.

Also, please avoid ad hominem attacks.

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Re:Dear Startups: stop asking me math puzzles to figure out ... by angersock on Monday October 21, 2013 @10:23AM (#6585704)

The magic of open sores: what's your Github?

This should be easy to settle and show up the other guy. ;)

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