Interviewing of late is filled with randomness. One place I interviewed, the Recruiter told me to expect coding exercise. The call starts, and I am handed out a system design problem ! Never expected a positive outcome since I hadn't prepared. Randomly, I got selected for the next round. This time around I prepared for anything come what may. The call starts, I get asked a coding question. I solve it in about 20 minutes, and the remaining 25 minutes we have a good discussion about the company dev practices. Randomly, this time I am not selected !
Another company I interviewed with last year but didn't make it but kept in touch with the recruiter for re-applying after a 12 month cool-off period. Come the time to re-apply, the good recruiter left and now the current ones keep politely refusing my application.
Another interesting one wanted me to record a video of mine explaining what I know about the company and why I would be a good fit and send that video to them ! (this one is a mixed bag, I kinda liked the idea but didn't bother eventually)
Another one had me fly out internationaly-all-expenses-paid after three Skype rounds,on the day of flying back I left a courtesy email to the recruiter thanking for the opportunity to interview and asking about possible turn-around time for a feedback. Haven't heard back !
Overall I have begun to get the feeling that at I particularly am a Lemon (or atleast the Potato no one is buying).
No, you're not necessarily a lemon. It is true that the hiring process is a complete random mess. Companies and candidates would probably be better off if we all admitted from the start that it's a random lottery, and that you're being chosen among the hundreds of other candidates essentially at random out of a hat.
The biggest issue with this is that some developers tend to get 2-3 offers in a small period. It's totally normal for a developer to start and leave within 3-4 days because a better offer came along so these companies want enough time to see if their new hires are going to duck out before telling you you're not a match (just in case you are a match but the guy who just got hired in your place quit because the new place offer 5k more)
Interviewing of late is filled with randomness. One place I interviewed, the Recruiter told me to expect coding exercise. The call starts, and I am handed out a system design problem ! Never expected a positive outcome since I hadn't prepared. Randomly, I got selected for the next round. This time around I prepared for anything come what may. The call starts, I get asked a coding question. I solve it in about 20 minutes, and the remaining 25 minutes we have a good discussion about the company dev practices. Randomly, this time I am not selected !
Another company I interviewed with last year but didn't make it but kept in touch with the recruiter for re-applying after a 12 month cool-off period. Come the time to re-apply, the good recruiter left and now the current ones keep politely refusing my application.
Another interesting one wanted me to record a video of mine explaining what I know about the company and why I would be a good fit and send that video to them ! (this one is a mixed bag, I kinda liked the idea but didn't bother eventually)
Another one had me fly out internationaly-all-expenses-paid after three Skype rounds,on the day of flying back I left a courtesy email to the recruiter thanking for the opportunity to interview and asking about possible turn-around time for a feedback. Haven't heard back !
Overall I have begun to get the feeling that at I particularly am a Lemon (or atleast the Potato no one is buying).
Was that a long comment ? Or maybe a rant.