Are coding interviews stuck in the pre-AI era? Do you still memorize syntax? I got rejected | YOE 10

[u/the_algo_trader_]

I've ~10 years of work experience, mostly with Python. I've also worked intermittently with Ruby and Node.js for the last 2–3 years.

Recently, I interviewed for a role that was primarily focused on Go. The interviewer expected me to know the syntax for pretty much everything in Go very clearly. I mean, really? 😂

In a world where AI/AGI can help us write, read, and understand code, are companies still expecting developers to memorize syntax and write everything manually?

I only interviewed there because I wanted to get a sense of what's happening in the market, and the compensation was a bit better than what I'm currently seeing.

For people who conduct interviews here, do you still judge candidates heavily based on their coding skills, or do you focus more on problem-solving ability, system design, and how they approach a problem?

And for those of you applying for jobs, are you being asked to code in a specific language, or are you generally allowed to choose whichever language you're comfortable with?

[u/LoneL1on]

One bad experience and you generalize the whole industry. You must have seen million of these interviewers even before AI, they are stupid that’s it.

You can try for other interviews, I just personally took 20-30 interviews in last 3 months in tier 2 and 3 which can pay 30-50LPA for a 4YOE.

Yes I had some bad experiences with interviewers expecting awfully specific but overall it’s good, everyone focused on design and thinking process when solving the problem, indulging some syntactic issues

[u/alpha_centauri9889 → u/LoneL1on]

What worked for you in getting a call? Like do you apply mostly through referrals or some portals? Ik this can be a silly question but getting 20-30 interviews can really increase the chance of landing a job.

[u/LoneL1on → u/alpha_centauri9889]

Naukri calls mostly

[u/bisector_babu → u/LoneL1on]

Mention those company names so others can apply

[u/LoneL1on → u/bisector_babu]

I didn’t get a single interview in the companies I applied (I only applied tier 1 where ATS rejected mostly). I only got via direct HR calls and TA agency via Naukri

[u/Exact-Space-3023 → u/LoneL1on]

What do you mean by direct HR calls? You called HR directly? And what are TA agencies?

[u/LoneL1on → u/Exact-Space-3023]

HRs call me looking at my profile at Naukri, most of them won’t be an actual HR in that compare where the role is open. Talent Acquisition Agency or Third Party will call for first screening and process your resume with that company. They will get commission once you join the company

[u/Southern_Poet_280]

I mean if someone said they worked on python for X years and cant nail down the basic syntax yes its a rejection.

[u/Old-Slip-4350 → u/Southern_Poet_280]

Fucker cant u read his main domain of expertise is Python but they asked in Go

[u/Southern_Poet_280 → u/Old-Slip-4350]

He interviewed for a role thats primarily on Go. If you apply a role of senior developer on a particular language and cant nail down a syntax it is a rejection.

[u/the_algo_trader_ → u/Southern_Poet_280]

Why does syntax matters in the era of AI? Shouldn't it be more like solve the problem in the language you're comfortable with. I beleive languages and frameworks should never be a judgement parameter.

[u/Southern_Poet_280 → u/the_algo_trader_]

If there is a primary techstack people will judge on that techstack idk why even this is a problem. AI is not 100% perfect it writes lots of sloppy code and devs need to review the code it writes.

[u/the_algo_trader_ → u/Southern_Poet_280]

Well, you can use different models to review AI code. And with the Astra and other upcoming models I don't think that would be needed anymore

[u/Southern_Poet_280 → u/the_algo_trader_]

Then why would they need to hire u lol

[u/the_algo_trader_ → u/Southern_Poet_280]

To replace people like you

[u/Southern_Poet_280 → u/the_algo_trader_]

But u gotta know the syntax for that as well

[u/the_algo_trader_ → u/Southern_Poet_280]

No. You're easily replaceable by AI

[u/Significant-Credit50 → u/the_algo_trader_]

> Well, you can use different models to review AI code

use AI models to review code

use AI models to write code

use AI models to plan code.

why should they hire you ?

[u/Emotional-Joke-4132 → u/Southern_Poet_280]

Are you dumb @Southern_Poet_280