FizzBuzz might be a "classic" coding question, but it doesn't make it a good one.
Read moreDeveloper Interviews are Broken, and You Can't Fix It
The "Google-style" interviews is the one people love to hate. It's broken, good candidates fail, bad candidates just memorize the answers, yadda yadda yadda.
That's all true.
But this is also true: all processes are broken.
Read moreThe Problem with the FizzBuzz Problem
FizzBuzz is not the basic, sanity-check interview question that many presume it to be. Use it and you might just end up filtering out some of your good candidates who, unfortunately, suffer from the Smart Person's Mirage.
Read moreIs "culture fit" discriminatory?
In theory, culture fit is a great thing to look for. Teamwork is vital, and high functioning teams produce better products. Culture fit is also more than just the do-you-get-along-well with the team. Culture fit can also be about moving rapidly, taking risks, speaking up, being creative, or not micromanaging.
You do want people who fit in well with your culture.
However, in practice, "culture fit" is often discriminatory, especially against asians, women, and older people.
Read moreIn Defense of the TopCoder-Style Software Developer Interviews
Despite what many assume, I do not think the so-called "TopCoder-style" software developer interviews are perfect. In fact, they're very flawed (more on this another time -- and a bit in here too). However, companies have a variety of reasons for doing this -- some good, some bad.
Read moreCompanies who give candidates homework assignments: knock it off!
There’s a trend among start-ups (and some larger companies) that worries me: giving candidates “homework” assignments. Homework assignments lead to candidate abuse. Knock it off (or at least be reasonable). I’ve seen many friends and clients go through this. As a pre-screening round before an onsite interview, a company gives them a “homework” assignment.
Read moreYikes! Your interviewer is wrong. Here's what to do.
While it’s usually candidates who make the mistakes in interviews, interviewers can screw up, too. Handling that kind of situation can be tricky. Here's what you do:
Read moreSorry, Folks: Google Hasn't Changed Their Interview Questions
Another day, another overly-hyped article on Google’s “crazy” interview questions. This one though gives hope to aspiring Googlers; Google has finally seen the light and realized that brainteasers aren’t useful! Not exactly.
Nothing has changed.
Read more