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Don't write on the whiteboard

jperla.com

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Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#51

Post by robododo »

socratic wrote: post #42
edw519 wrote: post #9

Sorry OP, I realize that you're just trying to be helpful sharing what's worked for you and I appreciate that, but frankly, I hate posts like this... I think the best preparation for any interview is to simply get good at what you do. All the rest is window dressing that distracts from that goal. Every minute spent practicing interviewing would be better spent building stuff. The natural byproduct of this will be exe…

Would you argue that students should not study for standardized tests (e.g., SAT, GRE, ACT) as well, because they should have learned the (restricted set of) material on the test in their classes?

That's how I've always felt, personally.

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#52

Post by [deleted] »

socratic wrote: post #42
edw519 wrote: post #9

Sorry OP, I realize that you're just trying to be helpful sharing what's worked for you and I appreciate that, but frankly, I hate posts like this... I think the best preparation for any interview is to simply get good at what you do. All the rest is window dressing that distracts from that goal. Every minute spent practicing interviewing would be better spent building stuff. The natural byproduct of this will be exe…

Would you argue that students should not study for standardized tests (e.g., SAT, GRE, ACT) as well, because they should have learned the (restricted set of) material on the test in their classes?

[deleted]

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#53

Post by lutorm »

pslam wrote: post #18
random42 wrote: post #5

From an interviewer's perspective, the whiteboard gives me a chance to intervene to correct, explain, or provide hints, to the interviewee sooner/at the right time, which is not possible in pen-paper solutions, as I cannot see what the interviewee is doing till she shows me her work, unless I sit at the same side of the table as herself, which is odd for general discussion/talking. My advice to interviewees:- Practic…

I'm dumbfounded by the mentality of "I don't do XYZ" when you're going to an interview. Guess what? They'll find that arrogant. If you really do suck at using a whiteboard, here's a really far-out incredibly expensive and time consuming idea: Go to Office World and buy a small one for $10.

Even easier: write on a window. I've used this to practice talks in hotel rooms, where you really won't find a whiteboard.

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#54

Post by GotToStartup »

Great article with lots of valuable info in there. The part about the actual whiteboard is almost irrelevant. Most of the comments here are getting too worked up about that.

"Learn Python and use it during your interview." Python is expressive, a high level and kind of writes like pseudo code. Just write pseudo code. The point isn't syntax anyways.

"The highest value problems I know of are on Project Euler." I do enjoy running through Project Euler problems but I have no evidence that's making me better at my day job, only better at answering Project Euler problems.

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#55

Post by ww520 »

I don't know whether others are like me but I've spent so much time typing rather than writing that my writing is rather bad. Writing on whiteboard is actually easier than on paper. Perhaps the best is to bring a laptop and type it out?

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#56

Post by barkingllama »

Jabbles wrote: post #30
barkingllama wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm glad the author mentioned Project Euler... I've never heard of it. Anyone else have experience with these problems? Is it a good way to improve your development skills?

Whenever I recommend Project Euler to people wishing to practise coding I always caveat it by saying "the first 50 problems are useful". After that Project Euler quickly becomes more mathematical, which is great if you wish to practise your maths skills, but may not be what you're looking for. There are exceptions, of course, and some questions may require implementing an important algorithm, but it is difficult to t…

Thanks for the advice... I was looking at the last pages and I've got no clue what's going on.

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#58

Post by lurker14 »

joeyh wrote: post #34

Seems to be a divide between those who like using whiteboards and not. I can think of several contributing factors: * academics vs non-academics * those who enjoy thinking on their feet vs those who enjoy thinking in a text editor * good handwriting vs not * right vs left handed Regarding the last, writing left-handed on a whiteboard means you're either manipulating the pen uncomfortably from the far end, or you're s…

Every conference room whiteboard should be paired with a mirror, so that lefties can write backwards.

If you haven't tried it, writing backwards with your left hand is surprisingly easy when you first try it. (easier than writing forwards eith the left hand, or backwards with the right hand, as a rightie) It's just a more natural way to move your hand.

Re: Don't write on the whiteboard

#59

Post by lutorm »

stephengillie wrote: post #50
sliverstorm wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Certainly take notes in preparation for an interview. Certainly bring a notebook to an interview. I just don't see this whole "carry a notebook at all times" thing.

Respectfully, what is the benefit to recording your notes and ideas on paper, and using paper at interviews, instead of using txt files in the dropbox folder of the always-connected smartphone in your pocket?

It's sufficiently painful to express myself on the tiny keyboard that I tend to avoid it. Not to mention if you want to sketch something.
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