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So should such puzzles be illegal in technical interviews -- at least until the supporting research is done and widely accepted?
One could argue that such content questions discriminates against certain groups of people without supporting research showing such memorizing ability is necessary for programming.
So should such questions be illegal in technical interviews --- at least until the supporting research is done and widely accepted?
Should asking content questions in technical interviews be illegal? One could argue that such content questions discriminates against certain groups of people without supporting research showing such memorizing ability is necessary for programming. So should such questions be illegal in technical interviews --- at least until the supporting research is done and widely accepted?
But that still ignores the issue about whether puzzle solving and programming ability are highly correlated.
Should asking content questions in technical interviews be illegal? One could argue that such content questions discriminates against certain groups of people without supporting research showing such memorizing ability is necessary for programming. So should such questions be illegal in technical interviews --- at least until the supporting research is done and widely accepted?
Perhaps one reason why they ask puzzle type questions is because they don't care so much about what content you know. You can learn on the job after all if you are smart. But that still ignores the issue about whether puzzle solving and programming ability are highly correlated.
(Assuming you're working at a firm that actually develops software, instead of handing a template to some code-monkeys and telling them to use off-the-shelf Microsoft or Java widgets and assemble them into something vaguely resemblant. But the latter firms don't really use puzzles anyway. They hire based on degrees and certifications.)
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Perhaps one reason why they ask puzzle type questions is because they don't care so much about what content you know. You can learn on the job after all if you are smart. But that still ignores the issue about whether puzzle solving and programming ability are highly correlated.
Probably moreso than most other things you could evaluate, including programming itself. I'd argue that puzzle-solving is more closely related to what you actually do as a developer than writing "reverse a string in-place" exercises in C. After all, what are programming problems besides puzzles? (Assuming you're working at a firm that actually develops software , instead of handing a template to some code-monkeys and…
Should asking content questions in technical interviews be illegal? One could argue that such content questions discriminates against certain groups of people without supporting research showing such memorizing ability is necessary for programming. So should such questions be illegal in technical interviews --- at least until the supporting research is done and widely accepted?
If you think that they'd make superior employees, nothing is stopping you from employing them. If you're correct, that will give you a significant advantage over employers who make the wrong choice. Why aren't you willing to make money from being correct?
Should asking content questions in technical interviews be illegal? One could argue that such content questions discriminates against certain groups of people without supporting research showing such memorizing ability is necessary for programming. So should such questions be illegal in technical interviews --- at least until the supporting research is done and widely accepted?
What defines these "certain groups" of people and why should anyone be forced to employ them? If you think that they'd make superior employees, nothing is stopping you from employing them. If you're correct, that will give you a significant advantage over employers who make the wrong choice. Why aren't you willing to make money from being correct?
In a world without such laws, what you say applies.
Now granted I have read a few studies indicating that it is possible to derive puzzles in such a way that to weed out certain demographics. One could argue the same thing based on what college someone went to and when based on the published numbers from that school and logical analysis. Should asking what college you went to and when be illegal?
As it stands right now, "puzzle solving ineptness" is not one of the groups of people protected by the equal opportunity act.
From my perspective it is less about the actual answer and more about the process you use to get there. Now granted I have read a few studies indicating that it is possible to derive puzzles in such a way that to weed out certain demographics. One could argue the same thing based on what college someone went to and when based on the published numbers from that school and logical analysis. Should asking what college y…
Other groups may be affected as well.