Interview advice that got me offers

Post by deeeeplearning » Wed, Dec 23, 2020, 6:19 PM UTC

nobodyandproud wrote: post #19

mlthoughts2018 wrote: post #4

“Keeping those skills sharp even when you’re not job hunting.” It’s so tiring to continue to see this. If the “skills” you need to keep sharp are not the same thing as the skills you exercise through your job, that’s a giant red flag that the hiring company should be avoided. If you’re practicing leetcode or Kaggle in your spare time to pass interviews, you need to stop and realize you’ve set up your goals completely…

The advice of going on interviews semi-regularly is one that I tell everyone soliciting advice (even my direct reports, though only once and only if conversation veers that way!). I don’t mean the leetcode hoops (etc, though that is part of the game) but once you’re in the door. It’s a unique skillset that degrades fast, not unlike dating skills.

Post by deeeeplearning » Wed, Dec 23, 2020, 6:20 PM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #21

mlthoughts2018 wrote: post #4

“Keeping those skills sharp even when you’re not job hunting.” It’s so tiring to continue to see this. If the “skills” you need to keep sharp are not the same thing as the skills you exercise through your job, that’s a giant red flag that the hiring company should be avoided. If you’re practicing leetcode or Kaggle in your spare time to pass interviews, you need to stop and realize you’ve set up your goals completely…

> If the “skills” you need to keep sharp are not the same thing as the skills you exercise through your job, that’s a giant red flag that the hiring company should be avoided. Lots of people want a job slightly different to or at a higher level than what they currently do, so they don't get to exercise the skills they will need at work and practice them at home instead. I don't get why people here are so hostile to p…

Post by deeeeplearning » Wed, Dec 23, 2020, 6:21 PM UTC

vidarh wrote: post #23

mlthoughts2018 wrote: post #4

“Keeping those skills sharp even when you’re not job hunting.” It’s so tiring to continue to see this. If the “skills” you need to keep sharp are not the same thing as the skills you exercise through your job, that’s a giant red flag that the hiring company should be avoided. If you’re practicing leetcode or Kaggle in your spare time to pass interviews, you need to stop and realize you’ve set up your goals completely…

It's not just about "algorithm hazing" but about presentation and communication skills that are often not a big part of the job of especially lower level developers, or at least not assessed in the same way. Keeping your communication and presentation skills sharp will not just benefit you in finding a new job, but also in advancing where you are, but you're rarely fired if you fail to improve at it.

Post by MattGaiser » Wed, Dec 23, 2020, 6:22 PM UTC

Post by chrisseaton » Wed, Dec 23, 2020, 6:23 PM UTC

deeeeplearning wrote: post #24

chrisseaton wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If the “skills” you need to keep sharp are not the same thing as the skills you exercise through your job, that’s a giant red flag that the hiring company should be avoided. Lots of people want a job slightly different to or at a higher level than what they currently do, so they don't get to exercise the skills they will need at work and practice them at home instead. I don't get why people here are so hostile to p…

Getting better at leetcode is hardly "bettering oneself", what a bizarre point of view.