Live data from Hacker News

A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

mattermark.com

21–30 of 517 posts

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#21
This is literally the only way I've gotten job offers. I'm a very competent programmer, but when I'm asked to solve some silly puzzle with someone staring over my shoulder, I freeze under pressure and can not think at all.

Luckily not everyone thinks solving leetcode problems is a good way to hire.

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#22

I wish more companies would give example problems to solve in your own time. I did one for a fairly large Australian company, and they rejected it. By the time they got round to letting me know (very long turn around time) I had already found other employment. But still, their reasons for rejecting my solution - the output was not formatted to their liking, and they didn't seem to know what an anonymous function was…

I don't mind homework, but companies need to start specifying their salary range up front. I've been having a lot of time wasted lately by getting through Tech Interview #1 or Homework #1, only to find out their max salary is laughable for San Francisco. "You should just find that out upfront" I hear you saying. Well that is not always possible. Recruiters either don't know the range, or lie about not knowing, or you…

This is true, and one of the worst inefficiencies you encounter as a candidate (and probably as an employer, I don't know): There's so much song and dance that has to go on before you get to the meat of things: Compensation. Companies could easily solve this by posting clear salary ranges, but most just don't.

Another thing that companies could do better is think really hard about "required" and "desired" skills, and be truthful. Lots of companies list things as required which they're probably willing to bend on for the right candidate. All this does is scare off potential candidates (odd when you're complaining about that mythical shortage of engineers). On the other hand, recent events have encouraged me to not be afraid to apply for jobs that I'm unqualified for :) so maybe it's not such a big deal.

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#23
I very much like the paid aspect to this approach. Not that I need the extra money, I am already financially compensated enough by my current employment, but it reduces the chances for the interviewing company to flake out after such a programming assignment. By offering some form of compensation, they are investing in the candidate and will probably not ignore the candidate after this stage of the interview. My assumptions at least.

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#24
post #10

This system is interesting but has a crucial flaw: I legally can't take part. I have a job now, which claims ownership over any tech-related IP I create. There are processes for getting exceptions, but a) you won't get them for actual job-related things b) I'm not asking Google for an exception so I can interview somewhere else. This is true for nearly anyone with a standard SV job. So if you're willing to restrict y…

Are clauses like that common in the US? Do they hold up in court?

Pretty sure it's not legal in California: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=lab&gr...

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#25
post #5

Does anyone have experience with this style of interview from the candidate side of the equation? I want to move to this style of hiring; however, I fear that because it's against the grain I may miss out on good candidates. Is that unfounded?

Well, if somebody legit wants to work for you, I suspect they'll be as curious about working with your team as you are curious about working with them. It's really a win-win situation for both sides.

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#26
post #16

I was actually hoping for a post on how to cull bad hires after they'd already happened. Any advice there? Asking for a friend...

Set up a proper culture of mentoring and training in your org to turn people who are a little too green or inexperienced into effective team members.

Not as catchy as "fire fast", but infinitely more sustainable.

Re: A Method I’ve Used to Eliminate Bad Tech Hires

#28

I wish more companies would give example problems to solve in your own time. I did one for a fairly large Australian company, and they rejected it. By the time they got round to letting me know (very long turn around time) I had already found other employment. But still, their reasons for rejecting my solution - the output was not formatted to their liking, and they didn't seem to know what an anonymous function was…

I don't mind homework, but companies need to start specifying their salary range up front. I've been having a lot of time wasted lately by getting through Tech Interview #1 or Homework #1, only to find out their max salary is laughable for San Francisco. "You should just find that out upfront" I hear you saying. Well that is not always possible. Recruiters either don't know the range, or lie about not knowing, or you…

I agree, I always ask what the salary range is and if they are not willing to give it I tell them I am not willing to go any father in the interview process. They say then if they really want to interview you.
Post reply on HN