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Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

robertheaton.com

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Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#281

Post by robheaton »

jw2013 wrote: post #280
robheaton wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obviously I would say this, but the Stripe process was really enjoyable, rapid and well thought through. It was clear that everyone really cared about making sure that you were able to really show your true skills and abilities. The team is great (and obviously just got 5.8% more great when I joined) and really happy to answer any and every question you might have. So I strongly recommend. Although I would say that.

wow, just upvoted your helpful reply. Can I ask what/how to prepare for the Stripe interview? Looks like cramming algorithm questions is not going to work. And it looks like, through your and OP's experience, Stripe is looking for people that are cool to work and hang-out with, self-motivated, and can write clean code. I will really appreciate your reply.

That sounds about right! Greg's Quora answer pretty much covers everything, and I'd say that there's not much you should particularly do to prepare other than to keep getting better at what it is you do anyway and to chill out. pc specifically said to me that the primary thing he cared about was that people were able to show how good they actually are, and that everyone feels they got a good crack at the whip and didn't get screwed over by a weird question or not preparing some specific thing or anything like that.

I am actually the OP :), my email address is in my HN profile and feel free to email me with any more questions!

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#282

Post by baby »

sleazebreeze wrote: post #96
nilkn wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can anyone cite a good source that provides a fairly detailed answer to the second question? I'm not looking for a hand-waving forum post but an actual answer aimed at someone who doesn't necessarily already know it.

I'm not sure if this covers the entire second question, but it's a fascinating read about HTTPS: http://www.moserware.com/2009/06/first-few-milliseconds-of-h...

www.moserware.com/2009/06/first-few-milliseconds-of-https.html

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#283

Post by jwmoz »

petenixey wrote: post #5

(sorry for sidetracking the excellent piece but...) When I examine the ~13,000 hours I've spent programming I find it hilarious that interviews should centre around algorithmic problems. I've been guilty of it myself and failing FizzBuzz is definitely a true negative but it's so little of a true positive it's not even funny. What I would really love to know about you as a candidate is: - do you know how to actually n…

You've just put into words what I've always been thinking.

In the 7 years I've worked and contracted web dev across 6 different companies I have never, let's reiterate, NEVER had to implement a sorting algorithm. However, if needed it would be quite simple to research and implement the best solution.

All of the other points are what actually matter.

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#284

Post by tharshan09 »

boothead wrote: post #32
bluejet wrote: post #10

I recently went through the same process and didn't have quite the same luck. Background: London. Comp Sci. from top 10 worldwide college. 2 years C++, Python, iOS experience in well known company on high profile project. Internship at start up with VC funding before that. Github profile with open-source projects, own projects etc. Started blog etc...basically everything that is recommended. Studied for 5 months (up…

Why SF? From what I've seen the London tech scene is really kicking off now. Some of the better funded start ups here are even starting to compete with finance jobs salary wise. And on finance: There are loads of jobs that industry in London, C++ and python make the world go round in hedge funds and investment banks!

Could you share what companies you are referring to? Which finance companies use Python? I am soon to graduate and I would like to find something in London that is using Python or C/C++.

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#285

Post by jw2013 »

robheaton wrote: post #281
jw2013 wrote: post #280

Earlier quoted context omitted.

wow, just upvoted your helpful reply. Can I ask what/how to prepare for the Stripe interview? Looks like cramming algorithm questions is not going to work. And it looks like, through your and OP's experience, Stripe is looking for people that are cool to work and hang-out with, self-motivated, and can write clean code. I will really appreciate your reply.

That sounds about right! Greg's Quora answer pretty much covers everything, and I'd say that there's not much you should particularly do to prepare other than to keep getting better at what it is you do anyway and to chill out. pc specifically said to me that the primary thing he cared about was that people were able to show how good they actually are, and that everyone feels they got a good crack at the whip and did…

Again, thanks very much. Hope can get the chance to work for Stripe one day.

(inc kudos)

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#286

Post by conanbatt »

vladimirralev wrote: post #140
conanbatt wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am now fairly involved in my company's interview process and Im constantly surprised that none of the resumes I get mention anything about the applicants character or professional demeanor. For all the fear of being "culturally unfit" for a company, highlighting what kind of role you play and how you interact with your coworkers is fundamental. Are you diligent and consistent with your work? Are you the kind of per…

This is crazy. You probably end up hiring the most convincing bullshitters. How can't you see that. The reality for most engineers is that it depends on outside factors 99%. Engineers try to be rational. Here is what the real-world answers to your questions look like and I bet you never heard them. Are you diligent and consistent with your work? IF it's being rewarded, yes. If I get yelled for missing the deadline, t…

Just saw this comment got many responses! Answering a little late but answering.

I dont see any correlation between "bullshitters" and providing information. I definitely dont see a correlation between "non-bullshiters" and utter lack of information. And also I don't know the correlation between "bullshiters" and actual technical knowledge.

The questions above were phrased quickly, and as i mentioned, its the questions you dont ask in an interview, but an information blank you have to fill out.

There are many ways you can answer and provide information about your work and professional that aren't empty phrases.

"I made this cool site with Rails, Angular, CSS transitions" -> purely technical

"I made this cool site with Rails, Angular, CSS transitions with consistent monthly releases, coordinated with open source contributors @ github. I also assisted community members in the technical setup of the project." -> technical + diligent + teamwork. And verifiably so.

Remember that we are talking about resume screening here, its a piece of paper that could be all lies , technical or non technical, its all about standing out and finding the right fit.

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#287

Post by conanbatt »

watwut wrote: post #249
conanbatt wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am now fairly involved in my company's interview process and Im constantly surprised that none of the resumes I get mention anything about the applicants character or professional demeanor. For all the fear of being "culturally unfit" for a company, highlighting what kind of role you play and how you interact with your coworkers is fundamental. Are you diligent and consistent with your work? Are you the kind of per…

I am hardworking and very consistent with my work. My communication with coworkers is always friendly and respectful. I am able to point out mistakes and faults without hurting the person I'm talking to. There you go, what did you learned about me? If you base your hiring on what people wrote about their own personality, you will hire plenty of great salesmen. They will all be able to guess what the boss might like a…

As mentioned in my above response, there are many ways to show professional demeanor, attitude and culture that is practical and verifiable. For higher up positions, it will be always a referral call, but that is a lot of work to do for intern/entry level/medium level engineering to the which you usually lack an unbiased referral source.

Also, its delusional to believe a resume is not a selling tool. There are good and bad resumes and its pure salesmanship. Finally, you will have to prove that there is a correlation of any kind between salesmanship and technical ability.

A hire is a full package deal. If you interview a total wiz, but he comes to the interview naked, you will not hire him. Well, I doubt I would vote for a hire.

Re: Lessons from a Silicon Valley job search

#288

Post by conanbatt »

krakensden wrote: post #263
conanbatt wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am now fairly involved in my company's interview process and Im constantly surprised that none of the resumes I get mention anything about the applicants character or professional demeanor. For all the fear of being "culturally unfit" for a company, highlighting what kind of role you play and how you interact with your coworkers is fundamental. Are you diligent and consistent with your work? Are you the kind of per…

> Im constantly surprised that none of the resumes I get mention anything about the applicants character or professional demeanor. What in the actual fuck. What do you expect to see? "I am clean and not a raging asshole"?

Definitely not cursing. I gave an example above of how to express that information in a verifiable way.
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