[mardifoufs]

It's not more humane, the entire process in europe is extremely "credential" based. Good luck getting any type of SWE interview in france without at least a good degree. And if you aren't from a "grande école" you will never get above team lead no matter how competent you are.

It's not even a glass ceiling, it's a full on concrete slab over your head. Management is completely sealed off depending on your Alma mater.

So yeah sure, the interview process is relaxed and gentle because you basically wouldn't even be given a chance if your education/credentials weren't enough for a given position/salary .

At least the American way gives you a chance to get your feet through the door at almost any level. That's why the interviews are harder, you get a chance to get a really high paying job without having to go to say, Polytechnique Paris. Obviously graduating from Stanford will probably help you a looot still, and your Alma Mater... matters. But you can get by just fine with a diploma from a state university, it doesn't completely shut you off from those very high end jobs. And if you don't want those SV-tier jobs and aim for something less competitive, the interview process is usually just as "humane" and laid back as in europe.

I don't know about the rest of europe but I don't think americans realize how "hierarchically stiff" France is. Like sure you won't get to leetcode for a 300k job, but that's because you won't even make it past the CV screening.