Another story of Google hiring (AV1 optimization)

NVIDIA
Divsgj

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Divsgj
Dec 17, 2020 8 Comments

For those who doesn't know, AV1 is a royalty free video codec.

I received a message from a recruiter about a contract position in Google. The job is manually writing SIMD assembler in an attempt to optimize performance.

I am an expert in video compression, contributed to H.264, and the author of the tests NVIDIA uses to test HW video engines on the manufacturing floor.

For the start, manual assembler "optimization" sounds like a preposterous idea. With different versions of SIMD it's like opening a can of worms. But anyway, the post is about hiring experience.

The job description said "bachelor degree". I have a doctorate. Me: "why would you want to hire a PhD?" Recruiter: "Google will follow your skills". I don't know how this should explain anything, but I replied that I would be happy to talk if the manager is interested in my expertise.

A couple of days later.

Recruiter: "we are open for a new batch of resumes. What is your hourly rate?"

Me: "$X/hr".

He: "we only have Y < X".

Me: "is there any initiative to work for less money?"

He: "I don't know, you should decide".

Me: "I can't decide unless I know more about the job".

He sends me the same description.

Me: "you said they will follow my skills, but this is the same".

He: "this is what manager sent me".

Me: "OK, we are in a dead lock. I would be happy to talk with the manager to see how my expertise can help".

He: "it's possible only if you answer pre-screening questions".

He sends me two stupid technical questions and a programming task for SIMD assembler.

I answered the questions and said that programming task will take my time, I don't want to waste it, unless I know if they need my full skills and knowledge, beyond the job description he sent me. I would be happy to talk how I can help.

He: "these questions are mandatory".

Me: "ok, I pass then".

The experience is hilarious. Google what are you doing? Video compression knowledge and skills are pretty rare. It's not something that is commonly taught in universities. There is just a handful of specialists in the country. If you need my expertise, let's talk how I can help you. If you need a coder, don't waste my time with "we will follow your skills".

Anyway, manual assembler is a wrong idea. You won't optimize it better than the compiler. At the very least just use intrinsics.

And good luck in hiring experts with this hiring approach.

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