[trunnell]

I empathize with new grads. It can be hard to stand out especially at the beginning of your career.

But I predict this won’t do what the authors claim: it won’t fix anything, and it won’t change technical interviews that much. At most it might increase the number of companies that require remote candidates to fly in and interview in person to do the same practical coding problems they used to do online. Which would be the standard from just a few years ago, anyway.

Practical coding problems (also known as work simulation interviews) are the most effective and least biased tools available for evaluating candidates. Not every hiring manager does a good job using these tools, but if you see misuse, take it as a sign that the manager might not be good to work for.

I have trouble understanding the authors thinking here that anything would be worth the cost of this: it’s a trust-busting tool where people are deceiving their potential employer. Trust is foundational to everything, in work and in life. We need more trust in our society, not less.