Tech Job Interviews Are Out of Control

Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

Catherine, a software engineer who recently took a break from her job at a cloud storage company, found herself facing unexpected challenges in her job search in 2023. After feeling burned out from the pandemic and years of working in the tech industry, Catherine decided to take a five-month break to hike the Pacific Crest Trail for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation.

However, upon returning from her adventure and beginning her job search, Catherine quickly realized that the technical interview processes in the industry had become more intense and demanding than ever before. She found herself struggling with take-home coding tests that took days to complete, live-coding exercises that were extremely pressure-filled, and lengthy interview processes at companies like Netflix and Snap.

This shift in the tech industry towards more challenging technical interviews comes as a result of pandemic hiring sprees and changes in the labor market, which have led to widespread layoffs and cuts to office perks. Laszlo Bock, who previously led hiring at Google, notes that the balance of power has now shifted back to employers, making the hiring process tougher for job seekers like Catherine.

As Catherine continues her job search, she is navigating this new landscape of technical interviews with perseverance and determination. Despite the challenges she has faced, she remains optimistic about finding a new opportunity that will reignite her passion for coding and software development. Through her experiences, Catherine is learning to adapt to the changing dynamics of the tech industry and the evolving job market, as she progresses in her career as a software engineer.