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Ask HN: Why can't I get interviews or offers anymore?

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Re: Ask HN: Why can't I get interviews or offers anymore?

#31

Post by 3minus1 »

2 interviews being cut short seems strange to me. I have been on both sides of the interview table and I have never seen an interview cut short. I would only consider it if the interviewee was bombing hard, like completely lost and unable to write code.

My best guess is that you are going up against candidates who are able to fluently process and manipulate CSV data in 40 minutes, probably using python. If that is indeed the gap that is preventing you from passing interviews, consider grinding leetcode problems, and getting good at filtering, sorting, transforming lists and dictionaries, etc.

Finally, I'm sorry to hear your going through this ordeal. Best of luck to you.

Re: Ask HN: Why can't I get interviews or offers anymore?

#32

Post by john-tells-all »

austin-cheney wrote: post #24

I know developers like to put their head in sand and pretend to the contrary, but credentials do matter. Things like security or cloud certifications and security clearances are extremely valuable when looking for employment. What has helped me the least is code quality and GitHub projects/portfolio. This has only helped me in the added technical experience and the ability to talk through a variety of scenarios durin…

I suggest your TS is moderately valuable, and certs are only a slight mention at best.

I've met multiple interviewers who said if you know the material, you wouldn't bother with a certificate... For them a cert is an anti-signal for competence in getting a job!

That said, I'm now working on completing Terraform cert. I know the material well, but missed a question in an interview. Investing time/energy in fleshing out my knowledge for the cert will be helpful, even if I don't mention _having_ the cert at all.

Re: Ask HN: Why can't I get interviews or offers anymore?

#33

Post by sircastor »

mortallywounded wrote: post #29
VirusNewbie wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No one cares about an Ivy education in tech, it's worth about as much as a state school. The programs are completely devoid of rigor. Now CMU or MIT might raise some eyebrows in a good way but there's maybe 3 or 4 schools in the country that are 'notable' for CS.

Engineers don't care-- sure. However, random HR person screening a resume is going to have a simple thought process. 1. Georgia tech? MMm ok. 2. Harvard? Oh I know that one!

I don't think HR really cares either. Ivy League provides you with contacts to get into the room. An advocate already on the inside who will call up HR and get them to move you into the "Consider" pile.

Re: Ask HN: Why can't I get interviews or offers anymore?

#35

Post by gtirloni »

> I was given around 40 minutes today to solve three questions about two CSV data sets...Couldn't do it in the allotted time

You need to fix this. Is it fair? Probably not, but it's what it is. If you fail the coding test, no one will pass you to the next phase.

Re: Ask HN: Why can't I get interviews or offers anymore?

#36

Post by chalcolithic »

cultofthecow wrote: post #27

Just a couple of advices. Feel free to ignore. It won't harm anyways. - linkedin profile looks weak. Elaborate on what were the duties in form of showing up your professional achievements. Like how you improved the product with your work. How you increased company revenue. Did this -> it lead to that. This approach shows your real impact (at least a sign of it). "reduced infra cost for 20%", "latency decreased which…

>Market is not that bad. It's totally ok.

Not in my experience(got hired recently). Market is really bad right now, those layoffs have left a helluva impact

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