[kache_]

You do not need to be a CS bro to learn the basics of data structures & algorithms. If you're a self-proclaimed autodidact, couldn't you just learn it yourself?

Of course, hnewslets who get filtered by such interviews will come downvote in force.

[notacoward]

The basics? Yes, certainly. The hyper-specific bits and pieces that show up over and over again in interviews? Not so much. Those are selected because they can fit into an interview time slot and be graded consistently despite widely varying skills among the interviewers. A lot of important and interesting algorithms are too complicated for that, but knowing them is no help in an interview. Mostly those interviews test for recent exposure (either from being a recent grad or from having the luxury of spare time) which is not strongly correlated with ability to perform the job itself and can even be considered discriminatory.

[porb121]

> The hyper-specific bits and pieces that show up over and over again in interviews

One would think the same topic showing up "over and over again" would make it easier to study for interviews

[Apocryphon]

The reoccurring problem set being finite does not prevent it from being large, or costly to prepare for in terms of time.

[everdrive]

>CS bro >self-proclaimed autodidact >hnewslets

This really isn't a place for lazy, ad hominem attacks.

[kache_]

I wouldn't describe "hnewslet" as lazy. Actually, I'm quite proud of that one.

[tolbish]

Doesn't Amazon interview you to make sure you align with their principles? Other companies do similar culture fit tests.