Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
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Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#2Everyone should use FizzBuzz and teams should come up with similar challenges that are novel enough not to be memorized.
The reason why FizzBuzz exists is because a lot of people apply for programming jobs who can't write code. It's not just that they don't know framework X or have an outdated approach to problems. They literally cannot produce anything remotely recognizable as working code.
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#3Everyone should use FizzBuzz and teams should come up with similar challenges that are novel enough not to be memorized. The reason why FizzBuzz exists is because a lot of people apply for programming jobs who can't write code. It's not just that they don't know framework X or have an outdated approach to problems. They literally cannot produce anything remotely recognizable as working code.
What would you suggest to people looking to become or retrain as a developer? Because it seems this is something that's more of an issue these days than even a few years ago...
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#4Everyone should use FizzBuzz and teams should come up with similar challenges that are novel enough not to be memorized. The reason why FizzBuzz exists is because a lot of people apply for programming jobs who can't write code. It's not just that they don't know framework X or have an outdated approach to problems. They literally cannot produce anything remotely recognizable as working code.
What would you suggest to people looking to become or retrain as a developer? Because it seems this is something that's more of an issue these days than even a few years ago...
Yes, it is much worse now because of bootcamps.
The first thing to do is ask yourself if you really want to become a programmer. Do you like programming? Have you ever tried it before? How comfortable are you with computers? You might be the go-to guy/girl for your friends and family, but are you 40 hours a week comfortable? How much time are you willing to spend debugging a confusing error message before running for help? Do you get any internal gratification from writing a computer program that runs successfully? What's going to keep you going when nothing you try works and you've been bashing your head on the same problem for a week?
The reason is that there are tons of jobs within the software industry at all salary levels that do not require coding. QAs, IT recruiters, business analysts, DB admins, designers, product owners, system administrators, etc. All these people benefit directly from the software industry and many do not know a lick of coding.
I think part of it is this sort of national illusion that everyone can become a programmer. But programming is just not for everyone. Learning to program requires a high level of diligence and self-motivation. In other words, you have to enjoy it. Not everyone is going to be inspired by "public static void main(string[] args) {}." A lot of people take one programming class and know right away it's not for them, and that's totally fine.
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#5Earlier quoted context omitted.
What would you suggest to people looking to become or retrain as a developer? Because it seems this is something that's more of an issue these days than even a few years ago...
Yes, it is much worse now because of bootcamps. The first thing to do is ask yourself if you really want to become a programmer. Do you like programming? Have you ever tried it before? How comfortable are you with computers? You might be the go-to guy/girl for your friends and family, but are you 40 hours a week comfortable? How much time are you willing to spend debugging a confusing error message before running for…
Great point!
I suppose the demand for developers has led to some companies getting more relaxed with their interview's I know in the U.K some companies don't do any testing at all. :O
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#6Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, it is much worse now because of bootcamps. The first thing to do is ask yourself if you really want to become a programmer. Do you like programming? Have you ever tried it before? How comfortable are you with computers? You might be the go-to guy/girl for your friends and family, but are you 40 hours a week comfortable? How much time are you willing to spend debugging a confusing error message before running for…
Great point! I suppose the demand for developers has led to some companies getting more relaxed with their interview's I know in the U.K some companies don't do any testing at all. :O
That's unfortunate. Developers who can't code have a stressful life.
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#7Everyone should use FizzBuzz and teams should come up with similar challenges that are novel enough not to be memorized. The reason why FizzBuzz exists is because a lot of people apply for programming jobs who can't write code. It's not just that they don't know framework X or have an outdated approach to problems. They literally cannot produce anything remotely recognizable as working code.
What would you suggest to people looking to become or retrain as a developer? Because it seems this is something that's more of an issue these days than even a few years ago...
A portfolio of recently executed ideas, however quirky, and in whatever languages, separates you from the rest.
Write code daily and push it to Github.
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
Great point! I suppose the demand for developers has led to some companies getting more relaxed with their interview's I know in the U.K some companies don't do any testing at all. :O
That's unfortunate. Developers who can't code have a stressful life.
Not to mention their cow-orkers.
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
What would you suggest to people looking to become or retrain as a developer? Because it seems this is something that's more of an issue these days than even a few years ago...
A portfolio of recently executed ideas, however quirky, and in whatever languages, separates you from the rest. Write code daily and push it to Github.
Well, I do. Just don't have enough time to also pursue my programming hobby in addition to a job, a family, and other hobbies. "Code on side projects daily" has become more of a goal to strive for than a reachable one.
Re: Why I’m still using “Fizz Buzz” to hire Software-Developers
#10Everyone should use FizzBuzz and teams should come up with similar challenges that are novel enough not to be memorized. The reason why FizzBuzz exists is because a lot of people apply for programming jobs who can't write code. It's not just that they don't know framework X or have an outdated approach to problems. They literally cannot produce anything remotely recognizable as working code.
> The reason why FizzBuzz exists is because a lot of people apply for programming jobs who can't write code.
I question how soon this actually is. I was assured that once I got involved with interviewing I would be hitting these people regularly. After a couple dozen interviews, I have only encountered one person who was that bad. They vast majority pass the "write a simple, working program" test then fail miserably on the problem solving parts. What are you hiring for, and where, such that you (and others) get so many of these people?