I find it odd that Facebook solicited an application from the OP and then proceeded to run him through the usual interview process. Maybe that was a result of some FB script seeking more qualified applicants.
Either way, it seems that FB missed out on an opportunity. Scientists don't already know all of the answers to novel problems. And, someone can make a Phd look like an idiot if you quiz them on topics not related to their specific field of study.
Why are established computer scientists forced to take a week to study up for trivia-like interviews? I would expect trivia-like interviews for young professionals straight out of college. But, for more established professionals, it would seem that a "tell me about your achievements" discussion would be more applicable.
Hiring decisions are best weighted on the person as a whole, and less on the testing scores.
> Why are established computer scientists forced to take a week to study up for trivia-like interviews?
I don't ask anything in an interview that my colleagues didn't automatically learn long ago, just from being good at their jobs. Cram studying for an interview is a waste of time—unless you're trying to get a job you aren't qualified for.
> But, for more established professionals, it would seem that a "tell me about your achievements" discussion would be more applicable.
Once I had met an appalling number of candidates who are incapable of putting sensible pseudocode on a whiteboard, I stopped taking for granted that everyone actually can write what they claim to have written. I don't know where these people are coming from or why, but they're definitely out there, and over-represented in the candidate pool (because everyone is trying to avoid hiring them).
Similarly to the blogger I was contacted by a Facebook employee asking if I'd like to apply for a job (they found work of mine online). I then had to complete a quiz (build a front-end app that conforms to a given criteria and screenshot) and take part in two 1 hour phone interviews using the collabedit website. I guess it seems to be quite standard for them to solicit applications and then scrutinise them heavily.
Luckily I hadn't read a blog post like this otherwise I would have been much more nervous for the interviews! (I thought it was just formality and expected them to only knock me back if I performed exceptionally bad).
Either way, it seems that FB missed out on an opportunity. Scientists don't already know all of the answers to novel problems. And, someone can make a Phd look like an idiot if you quiz them on topics not related to their specific field of study.
Why are established computer scientists forced to take a week to study up for trivia-like interviews? I would expect trivia-like interviews for young professionals straight out of college. But, for more established professionals, it would seem that a "tell me about your achievements" discussion would be more applicable.
Hiring decisions are best weighted on the person as a whole, and less on the testing scores.
Edit: typo fix