Ask HN: Looking for a developer?

Some tips for next time:

- if they want timed coding challenges or quizzes, skip them

- if they want you to work for a couple of days on a task to see your abilities, skip them

- if they don't accept a Skype interview and insist on going to their headquarters in another city, skip them

- if you're creative and like innovation, you're pretty much fucked because you don't fit the standard way of thinking

There is no shortage and there is no actual demand. Companies just want better people for less money. They say that are no more good developers. But what they mean is: "There are no skilled suckers that will accept our ridiculously low pay".

You need to jump through hoops only so they can get an easier recruiting process. You're no longer a valuable resource. You're just a mindless robot that needs to meet specific keywords. Doesn't matter if you learn, adapt or solve problems. All that matters is how you fit on a very specific recipe. Interviews are the same. Vomit the fizzbuzz solution, some "core programming" buzzwords and maybe two or three generic tasks with stupid loaded questions. And you're hired.

Software developers are now just employed freelancers. Doesn't matter how you think or what you can do. All you need is keywords and experience with highly specific things.

>> I have to fill gazillions of fields, I have to go through various kinds of pre-interview processes, like this last one - its an automatic video interviewing system, that records my answers using some pre-recorded videos as questions. Cool system, technically, but I will have to spend hours on this thing.

If a potential employer doesn't respect your time during the interview phase, I'd be hard pressed to believe that they would respect your time and boundaries as an employee.

>> Obviously if I apply for the job, I am interested in the subject and interested in the company and willing to learn if anything beyond my knowledge appears. No need for cover letters.

This really isn't obvious, a lot of the time.

As someone who hired another developer recently, I estimate that 1/4 of resumes that came in had zero relevant experience, and I'd wager that MUCH less than 1/4 of the total candidates bothered to do any research on the company at all.

A lot of the "song and dance" of the hiring process really is necessary. Employers just need to remember to respect the time of the candidates.

Find an employee who is already at the company you are interested in. This is one place where linkedin shines, but if you are interested in SV startups, try angellist. Contact them. Ask your questions. If there is further interest, ask for an intro to the hiring manager.

Don't play the game.

For more: http://www.asktheheadhunter.com/basics1.htm