Tech IndustryAug 14, 2018
UberCzarkaps

Luck in interviews

I interviewed with google, could not make it. I got in to Uber. My friend could not make it to Uber but got into google. My google interview was a joke. I am sure many google engineers would also fail the interview. And same with my friends Uber Interview. We lose good candidates because of Interviewers who don’t know what they are looking for. This is where Lady Luck plays a role I feel.

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Amazon sadTT Aug 14, 2018

We are selecting for leetcoders now and not necessarily for problem solvers.

IBM nasa Aug 14, 2018

Doing well in Leetcode questions requires a basic level of intelligence and a lot of work ethic to keep practicing. What else do you need to select for in developers anyway? Sure beats language/framework questions or bullshit "tell me about that one time..." type things.

Intel AQup26 Aug 14, 2018

@nasa I agree with you but most interviewers are expecting perfect code and explanation in that 30 mins we get. If you haven't seen the question, most likely you're not gonna do as well as someone who has and that's where luck plays a big part.

Microsoft KYBm01 Aug 14, 2018

Interviews have turned into filtering mechanisms instead of being selection mechanisms.

Google GoldenGod Aug 14, 2018

Luck definitely plays a part. I know from my own experience when I had 2 people initially scheduled to interview me but got swapped out last minute. Also, I see weekly emails asking people throughout the org if someone can fill in last minute and interview a candidate. I realize all interviewers are calibrated, but sometimes it boils down to luck of the draw, a bad day or being sick.

Veritas 13Jija Aug 14, 2018

To an extent I would agree. I recently interviewed with an organization and the Sr.Director was absolutely clueless about the topics which are so relevant to the application.

eBay WhatTheH Aug 14, 2018

Luck definitely is a big factor. That's how I got rejected from 3 unicorns while advanced to next stages for FANG

Microsoft Xfj$4m233 Aug 14, 2018

Practice is 50% and luck is rest.

VMware Wertyuiop Aug 14, 2018

IMO, luck plays a big part these days. Interviewed for two companies, the first one asked me leetcode questions which I had practiced before, gave them optimal solutions, no hire. Second company asked me some very weird questions which were not leetcode based. Had a very healthy conversation with the interviewer but still got rejected.

Juniper cuVn60 Nov 8, 2018

At google onsite interviews, I solved all of them, still got rejected. Recruiter said I was almost at the bar. Its all luck, thats why they hire the same person after rejecting 2-3 times.

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YxjH62 Sep 3, 2019

How is it possible to solve all of the questions and still be rejected?

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URHh52 Nov 10, 2021

Maybe they just filled the position