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I have a bit of a different take on this.

(1) Apply to companies that aren't software companies. I was once interviewed by a chemist at DuPont.

(2) If you're not in love with your location, move away from the big tech hubs.

I suspect hiring standards are much lower outside SF/Seattle/Boston/Denver/Austin/etc. There are so few people graduating from CS programs (and so few of them competent developers), that they can't be so picky in most of the country, far away from the top schools.

During and at the end of my college career (CS as well), I interviewed at 10-15 companies or so for developer positions. Not a single interviewer did a live coding test. Only one wanted to go over the work samples I voluntarily provided with my resume. I got offers from all but a few of those companies. I think the reason is because I'm in suburban Pennsylvania, not San Francisco.

I did apply for a job at Google once while in grad school. Did two of those algorithm phone screens. I did alright, but I hated being tested under pressure like that. If I were to look for a job, I'd rule out the software companies and tech startups that interview like that. They're not the only option.




You'd be surprised how bad it can be working as a developer at non-tech companies. AD-agencies where the projects might be 90% tech even end up being shitty workplaces. You're a second class citizen amongst copy-writers, SCRUM-EXPERT project managers and UX-Gurus who make keynotes of 2 or 3 frames for the long parallax intro animation of 7 pages.


I second this. At tech companies, you'll be treated with a degree of respect. With many non-tech companies, you can be referred to as "the guys who spend the money that the sales team makes".

They'll also make you clone products from companies like Slack and question you why the performance isn't as good, when they've already allocated a budget of $10,000.


Agreed, but the reverse can also be true. HR companies for example are infinitely better at working with employees (and treating them as humans/individuals) than tech companies.

Some of the best jobs I've had have come from extremely non-technical interviews.


I am not sure what you mean with "HR companies" but HR in general isn't there for you, it's there for the company. An ex-colleague of mine had to experience that the hard way. She's alright now, but she felt horrible for a couple of months.

They really took advantage.




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