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Why do big companies ask unrealistic software engineering interview questions?

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Re: Why do big companies ask unrealistic software engineering interview questions?

#4
post #2

For largely the same reasons why graduating from top schools is given more credit than any old college, even if the level of teaching is similar. Getting in takes determination, intelligence, and discipline. Same with getting good at Leetcode.

This feels like a retcon. The real reason is most likely that Google started interviewing people this way and then that's the culture that developed in the industry. Once a culture develops, it's very hard to change.

Re: Why do big companies ask unrealistic software engineering interview questions?

#5
That's the thing I was struggling with, I can solve many of problems for the avg company – but I don't know how to solve a leetcode problem. I bet there aren't as many companies solving the complex problems on a scale.

But if we look from the perspective of the company – maybe it's just an filter to get someone very dedicated and nerdy about programming. Less churn, less questions.

Re: Why do big companies ask unrealistic software engineering interview questions?

#8
post #6

Don't publish anymore on Medium, people!

I agree and is not because they are making money out of you (that's fine if you agree) it's mostly because they aren't censorship proof or ideologically neutral.

Re: Why do big companies ask unrealistic software engineering interview questions?

#9

That's the thing I was struggling with, I can solve many of problems for the avg company – but I don't know how to solve a leetcode problem. I bet there aren't as many companies solving the complex problems on a scale. But if we look from the perspective of the company – maybe it's just an filter to get someone very dedicated and nerdy about programming. Less churn, less questions.

The thing is that for problems that are mildly complex, it is rarely that it is solved by a single person. So getting a person to solve complex problem under interview conditions is totally unrealistic. If they are really using this as a filter, they are really doing themselves a disservice.
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