Tech IndustryMar 23, 2019
BloombergiVX372

Can experience compensate for interview performance?

I'm not making this a poll because I imagine the answer differs between companies, and there is a lot of nuance here. Imagine that your company interviews the following SWE candidates, and assume that there are enough openings for all of them if they all pass: A. 2 YOE at Square and a startup. Stellar technical interview performance, solving all problems optimally. Behavioral interviews determine that this person doesn't understand corporate politics and communication, and may have Asperger's B. 4 YOE at a big but non-prestigious company (e.g. eBay) and one startup. 2nd best technical interview performance, solving all problems optimally except one, which is solved non-optimally. Demonstrates solid performance in behavioral interviews, but lacks experience leading projects C. 6 YOE at 4 startups. Solves all technical rounds optimally, except one which is completely bombed without a working solution. Demonstrates great performance in behavioral interviews, and has experience leading projects and managing a team of developers Assume that all candidates perform equally well (and satisfactorily) on the only system design round. Also assume that they all demonstrate equal interest in the role. For each candidate, please comment with a yes/no hire decision. If yes, add your current company's level. Note that all can be yes, and all can be no. Example: A. No B. Yes; L4 C. No In your answer, please note whether or not you have participated in at least 3 onsite interview rounds at your company, as an interviewer.

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infinit Mar 23, 2019

Given the limited set of info: A. Maybe L3 B. Yes L4 C. Yes L4-L5 Yes. Do you think A’s problem was clearly more than just interview nerves? And do you think their excellent technical performance makes up for what they lacked in social skills?

Bloomberg iVX372 OP Mar 23, 2019

Thanks for the response. As to your questions: I'm not sure, and don't currently interview candidates. Candidate "A" describes my friend, who is currently interviewing. He consistently solves all of the technical rounds, but may not be performing well in behavioral interviews

Amazon Algoo111 Mar 23, 2019

I tot of trying to answer, but it’s very hard to give a good answer since these decisions are very nuanced. What is it that you are really seeking to get out of this, maybe that might be easier to answer.

Bloomberg iVX372 OP Mar 23, 2019

As the title suggests, I'm curious to what extent previous experience compensates for interview performance at various companies. Also assume that all candidates demonstrate equal interest in the role, as I've added to the original post

Amazon .🦔... Mar 23, 2019

A. Yes, L4 B. Yes, L4/L5 C. Yes, L5 SDE or SDM L5/L6

Amazon vjcjccjfj Mar 23, 2019

i conducted a dozen onsites at Microsoft ranging from SDE 2 to Senior. A. no B. yes as sde 2 C. yes as sde2/senior i use coding part for mostly screening people out. once the candidate demonstrates good understanding of algo, i don’t really take points off for 1 bombed session. behavior and social skill(especially communication) is very important at working in a team env. i don’t want my junior dev to go and waste a week building crap because he didn’t understand/didn’t bother to clarify requirement. or can’t effectively communicate what he is stuck on

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PlumDew Mar 23, 2019

All the candidates are good hires , and the interviews seem to be commensurate with their experience levels

Microsoft KxOx70 Mar 23, 2019

z

Amazon qwer1234at Mar 23, 2019

A. No B. Yes. L4 or L5 C. Yes. L5 or L6. Hiring as manager could also be good

Bloomberg iVX372 OP Mar 24, 2019

Thanks for all of the responses so far from Amazon and MS. I'd like to see responses from interviewers at other companies including Google, FB and LinkedIn, and have added the appropriate tags.

Google Methane Mar 25, 2019

No.

Bloomberg iVX372 OP Mar 25, 2019

To all 3 candidates?

Google Methane Mar 25, 2019

I answered the question in the subject line. I'd say yes to the first two, no to the third. L3 on the first, L4 to the second.

LinkedIn MxAu52 Mar 25, 2019

A. No B. Yes; SWE C. Yes; down-leveled SWE