I recently was flown to Austin for an interview. The entire reason I was brought down was because of Python ML projects on Github. The technical interview consisted of nothing, and I mean NOTHING but super advanced SQL questions. (over the phone, I had specifically stated I hadn't used SQL in years) My expectation was that I'd be interviewed using Python and asked to perform ML related tasks.
When I mentioned that I thought that the purpose of me being brought there was to add an ML dimension to the team, which was far too data analysis (using SQL and some R)focused and with no Python expertise, I was given a blank stare.
Then it hit me: the guys interviewing me didn't know how to do any of the stuff I had been brought down (by higher ups who weren't in the room) to do, so they weren't evaluating me on it. They evaluated me on what THEY knew. It's the equivalent of Peyton Manning being asked to evaluate a linebacker, and demanding that the linebacker throw passes downfield.
The highlight was when one of the guys (typical pony-tail neck-beard type) pointed out that an alluvial flow diagram in my portfolio of data visualization projects wasn't "Tufte-esque". (It was a gross misinterpretation of Edward Tufte's commandments on his part, but am I really going to get in an argument with the guy interviewing me?)
It was clear that the guys in the room wanted someone who knew what they did and thought like they did. A brilliant recipe for getting a homogenous team with no diversity in skills.
What an epic fucking waste of time. The best part? The company only has 150 employees, and a recruiter just contacted me for a position on another team that uses Python. She was unaware of the fact that I was there a month ago. I told her that they should have thought about that when they flew me down the first fucking time.
> I told her that they should have thought about that when they flew me down the first fucking time.
Thanks for that!
On the other hand, most likely the other Python team would grind you on Python and again nothing on ML, and of course your Python ML projects suck because "blah blah blah"
Maybe if I am in a similar position, I should demand compensation for my time. That way I'll at least get to visit friends and see scenery around Austin. I wonder if a demand for compensation (besides airfare and stuff) would fly...
It would not. The only thing I could imagine countering is: Fly me to Austin for two weeks, put me up in a hotel, and hire me to do a project at $x/hr. If we both like what we see, let's talk about a full-time position.
Frankly, I think this is anti-candidate behavior if the employer suggests it, but if you actually want it, they should be willing to do it if they can vet you otherwise (github, etc).
When I mentioned that I thought that the purpose of me being brought there was to add an ML dimension to the team, which was far too data analysis (using SQL and some R)focused and with no Python expertise, I was given a blank stare.
Then it hit me: the guys interviewing me didn't know how to do any of the stuff I had been brought down (by higher ups who weren't in the room) to do, so they weren't evaluating me on it. They evaluated me on what THEY knew. It's the equivalent of Peyton Manning being asked to evaluate a linebacker, and demanding that the linebacker throw passes downfield.
The highlight was when one of the guys (typical pony-tail neck-beard type) pointed out that an alluvial flow diagram in my portfolio of data visualization projects wasn't "Tufte-esque". (It was a gross misinterpretation of Edward Tufte's commandments on his part, but am I really going to get in an argument with the guy interviewing me?)
It was clear that the guys in the room wanted someone who knew what they did and thought like they did. A brilliant recipe for getting a homogenous team with no diversity in skills.
What an epic fucking waste of time. The best part? The company only has 150 employees, and a recruiter just contacted me for a position on another team that uses Python. She was unaware of the fact that I was there a month ago. I told her that they should have thought about that when they flew me down the first fucking time.