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by hhs19832
2895 days ago
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What does ballpit mean in this context? By your definition, what does it mean to say Google has a "ballpit"? If I wanted to determine technical competency in addition to a verbal interview, why wouldn't I use a whiteboard? Why wouldn't I take my client to a restaurant with ballpits? What if they have children and can't find a babysitter? |
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There are two things to note here. First, there is no evidence that these tests reveal anything. I'd be happy to see a published, peer-reviewed study in a psychology journal showing just what you can learn about thought patterns in a standup whiteboard interview. Second, Google's head of HR (sorry, I don't remember the pretentious name they actually use) has said that their interview technique does not work.
Having been through this game I'll give you some advice. Get a book on algorithms and memorize the worst case order of each algorithm. Also memorize the algorithm with the best behavior. You'll have whiteboard interviews with people who just graduated and their last course was on algorithms. It is the institutional version of frat-house hazing.
If they want to determine technical competency perhaps they might ask for github code authored by the person. Or perhaps they could read the resume (google interviewers don't seem to do that) and ask them details about topics related to the job you will be doing.... oh, wait... the google interviewers don't know what job you are interviewing for, nor who you might be working for, or even what you might be doing. It doesn't matter. The interview isn't about you at all.
The upside is that you might get a free google t-shirt.