[obviouslynotme]

The entire issue with DS&A interviews is that they test skills that insignificantly correlate with performance. It takes months of time to reach the level of remembering how and when to use every foreseeable DS&A topic within a few minutes. The rest of the time is needed for clarifying questions and writing it all out. It only adds more randomness and stress to an already very random and stressful event.

His interview would be better than a DS&A interview except there is a presentation to an audience instead of a 1-on-1 conversation. This would make sense for a sales or upper-management position, but not a line SWE position. The reason for rejection is also suspect as that should have been caught in resume reviews. My guess is that he wasn't picked for whatever reason and they gave him a general rejection. Either way, I would much rather my career rest on my actual work experience than my ability to solve DS&A trivia on a clock.