RIP The Generalist Interview
Elaborating on "Generalist Interview," I mean the Google-pioneered interviewing system with a company-wide funnel, casting a wide net to those with diverse educational and professional backgrounds. "Google 2005-2020" -- if you studied French Literature at random state school and rocked the interview, then you're not only smart but interesting, "culture add." We all know that hiring cratered during the recent downturn, but more significant than the dwindling job openings is the impact of Manager pre-screening. With this, Silicon Valley becomes more like Wall Street, where your profile strongly determines whether you get an interview. I don't have the dream resume -- I am a mid-40s SWE with a physical sciences education, and my first 10 YOE were as a non-SWE Scientist. After getting dumped in the Meta layoffs, I could not get screens at Internet companies where I had previously passed their interview. Meanwhile, my partner gets reach outs from these very same companies -- she's in her late 30s and has "the ideal CV" including a grad degree in CS. Hiring Managers: does this align with your experience? How much discretion do you have, and do you feel you hire better people? Recruiters/HR: have you observed any changes in the candidates being selected for interviews?
Everybody is down for DEI and diverse backgrounds until it's time for them to actually hire one on their team without external pressure
Skill based hire for junior/mid senior is a recipe for disaster, makes sense for staff+ (by that time ppl are anyway specialized or have focus areas) That said ppl at large companies for years, who aren't keeping up with outside tech are at risk. This has always been the case
Anybody who tells you they perfected the interview/accessment process as a hiring manager will be telling you a lie