So why does companies ask for phone screens even after working at firms like FB or Google or Netflix for several years? I ask that to recruiters and they say they just want to make sure the person knows basics and knows how to code a bit. Whaaat? You serious? I honestly don’t care but just wonder what exactly is the reasoning! It doesn’t seem very logical.
Maybe because it's easier than verifying you really worked at those places, or they don't trust the hiring bar of those other places.
Bit of both
I experienced it only once. Was really surprised. My understanding is being asked simplest programming questions by a recruiter is equivalent to “We don’t trust what you wrote in your LI profile, so we don’t trust you at all. But you have to trust all that shit you see on our corporate web page and all that shit the recruiter tells you”.
This is a really good point. I feel the same. I interviewed with Tesla recently. It was a pleasant surprise from the norm. No phone screen. Direct onsite. But the rest of them had a PS.
😊
Wut, I had a phone screen. Now they gave me a project to do before I go onsite and the interview has a presentation followed by 5 interviews. Seems like overkill and I’ve given up on passing but will probably do the onsite for shits and giggles
Phone screen is common unless there is another signal of candidate quality such as a good internal referral. Phone screens are often there to make sure the candidate is interested in the things the team has going on. The recruiters cover some of it but more generically. Also, it is surprising how many people with quite a bit of experience who practically can’t code, or can’t write coherent code. That’s what the exercise is there for.
Saves time
That is the reasoning. They define a interview protocol and everyone has to follow it. Either you are coming google or some mom and pop IT joint.