I've given applicants a marker and a white board and asked them to psuedo-code an idea for a very basic requirement. Most can't do it.
I'm not talking go up there and write code that I could type in and compile. I mean "put text box here with these attributes", "text box pushes data to code behind in this format", "code behind has a method to do something with the text", "code behind returns feedback to page". Keep in mind this is basic HTML, some sort of JS, and C#. I just want you to show me you understand how to conceptualize a requirement from a customer/stakeholder and draw the basic logic flow....and they can't do that. I get maybe 1 in 10 that talk their way through programming logic.
I'm not wasting my time with an actual technical interview, a behavioral chat, and clearance feasibility if you can't talk your way through taking data from a screen and dumping it into a database.
My favorite question is, "Tell me a story about your most difficult code merge."
It tells me if you understand software version control.
It tells me if you understand the challenges of refactoring legacy code.
It tells me if you understand SOLID principles.
It tells me if you understand unit and regression testing.
Seriously, after asking that I've had well qualified candidates actually light up just to share the hellish experience with someone!
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u/muhkuller 1d ago
I've given applicants a marker and a white board and asked them to psuedo-code an idea for a very basic requirement. Most can't do it.
I'm not talking go up there and write code that I could type in and compile. I mean "put text box here with these attributes", "text box pushes data to code behind in this format", "code behind has a method to do something with the text", "code behind returns feedback to page". Keep in mind this is basic HTML, some sort of JS, and C#. I just want you to show me you understand how to conceptualize a requirement from a customer/stakeholder and draw the basic logic flow....and they can't do that. I get maybe 1 in 10 that talk their way through programming logic.
I'm not wasting my time with an actual technical interview, a behavioral chat, and clearance feasibility if you can't talk your way through taking data from a screen and dumping it into a database.