The Horrifically Dystopian World of Software Engineering Interviews

[Millionaire]

People often ask me if I am Jewish both at home and abroad.
People say that I just “look Jewish” whatever that means.

Might be because you got a big hooked hooter.

Up until a few years ago, the official sign language for saying Jew was gesturing a big hooked nose with your hand. It might still be in use in some countries. That was so un PC..

Along with the hook-nose gesture for the word Jew, one of the words for representing Chinese people involves tugging at the corner of the eye. Gay is represented by a hand-flop and Samoan by pressing down on your nose.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...se-sign-language-gesture-jewish-group-demands

 

[Aquarians]

Tell her to stay away. Its a sausage fest/boys club. Where your skills become out of date every five years and you have to keep up with latest tech buzz words.

Better to be a Doctor or even Teacher i reckon. Where women are more dominant.

Although the correct decision is to follow her passion, although not all passions pay as well as Tech.

When I was in high school, computer science discipline (top class in high school, top high school in the county), we were roughly 50%-50% boys vs girls split. Almost all boys in the class chose computer science as a career, of the about 15 girls though, only one went to work in IT and she regrets it now Women went to become doctors, accountants, lawyers ... no teachers though, I guess because it didn't pay so well. I specifically say "didn't" because it has much improved since 20 years ago.

 

[DiceAreCast]

Is there any research in existence of why so many cultures and societal groups harbor a dislike for Jews throughout generations and centuries? There must be a reason for that I assume?

"While I studied abroad in Kyrgyzstan and traveled through former Soviet Republics
and Russia, the topic of Jews came up with regularity in conversations with people across
generations and ethnicities. People often ask me if I am Jewish both at home and abroad.
People say that I just “look Jewish” whatever that means. The difference is that in the
former Soviet Republics the people inquiring would not try to hide their relief when I
informed them that I am in fact not Jewish."

The general procedure for admission to a Soviet university consisted of a written and oral
test. The concept of an oral exam is unfamiliar here in America, but it is a mainstay in the
Russian education system. Students walk into the room and take a piece of paper from a
pile at the front of the classroom. This piece of paper has two questions on it and is called
the bilyet or ticket. The students are given some time to prepare their answers with only
paper and pencil. When a student has an answer, they raise their had and an examiner
comes by to check the solutions. Then the examiner asks one follow up question, evaluates
the solutions, and dismisses the student

These exams, however, were different for a Jewish student. The oral exam could last as
long as five and a half hours in one case (Kanevskii, 1980). Students were given follow up
problems one after another until they failed one of them, at which point there were given
a failing grade. Sometimes they were dismissed on a minute technicality.
There is an account of one student being asked by the examiner ”What is the definition of a
circle?” The student’s answer was ”It is the set of points in a plane, equidistant from a fixed
point” The student was informed that this was an incorrect answer, the correct answer is
"the set of all points in a plane, equidistant from a fixed point" and the student failed the
test (Saul, 1999).

Now this is only one example, but there are many stories of similar instances of ridiculous, often
times pedantic reasons for dismissal. These stories began to accumulate, and
it became blatantly obvious that an effort was being made to make it difficult for some
students in particular. Predominately it was Jewish students who received this inhumane
treatment.

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1320&context=tme

 

[narafa]

"While I studied abroad in Kyrgyzstan and traveled through former Soviet Republics
and Russia, the topic of Jews came up with regularity in conversations with people across
generations and ethnicities. People often ask me if I am Jewish both at home and abroad.
People say that I just “look Jewish” whatever that means. The difference is that in the
former Soviet Republics the people inquiring would not try to hide their relief when I
informed them that I am in fact not Jewish."

The general procedure for admission to a Soviet university consisted of a written and oral
test. The concept of an oral exam is unfamiliar here in America, but it is a mainstay in the
Russian education system. Students walk into the room and take a piece of paper from a
pile at the front of the classroom. This piece of paper has two questions on it and is called
the bilyet or ticket. The students are given some time to prepare their answers with only
paper and pencil. When a student has an answer, they raise their had and an examiner
comes by to check the solutions. Then the examiner asks one follow up question, evaluates
the solutions, and dismisses the student

These exams, however, were different for a Jewish student. The oral exam could last as
long as five and a half hours in one case (Kanevskii, 1980). Students were given follow up
problems one after another until they failed one of them, at which point there were given
a failing grade. Sometimes they were dismissed on a minute technicality.
There is an account of one student being asked by the examiner ”What is the definition of a
circle?” The student’s answer was ”It is the set of points in a plane, equidistant from a fixed
point” The student was informed that this was an incorrect answer, the correct answer is
"the set of all points in a plane, equidistant from a fixed point" and the student failed the
test (Saul, 1999).

Now this is only one example, but there are many stories of similar instances of ridiculous, often
times pedantic reasons for dismissal. These stories began to accumulate, and
it became blatantly obvious that an effort was being made to make it difficult for some
students in particular. Predominately it was Jewish students who received this inhumane
treatment.

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1320&context=tme

So pathetic

 

[Aquarians]

Is there any research in existence of why so many cultures and societal groups harbor a dislike for Jews throughout generations and centuries? There must be a reason for that I assume?

I could take a few guesses without Googling for it. Stems from human propensity towards in-groupping (and rejecting the out-group). Jews have long since isolated themselves somewhat from the overall society by means of religion, circumcision and tending to marry along themselves. Any group that's sufficiently different and peculiar compared to mainstream will look suspicious in the eyes of the majority.

 

[DiceAreCast]

I don't think other societal groups would hold those listed properties against a specific group. But when such group settles in multiple countries, empowers itself (also nothing wrong with that) by better organizing and support for new arrivals,and subsequently disadvantages the rest of outside members in a specific country then this is turning into problems and can cause anger. I think to have read that this economic disadvantaging outsiders of the Jewish community was one of the leading causes of anti-semitism in Europe, especially in the financial services sector like money lending and the collection of art and cultural artifacts that disappeared more and more from public eye.

I could take a few guesses without Googling for it. Stems from human propensity towards in-groupping (and rejecting the out-group). Jews have long since isolated themselves somewhat from the overall society by means of religion, circumcision and tending to marry along themselves. Any group that's sufficiently different and peculiar compared to mainstream will look suspicious in the eyes of the majority.

 

[zdreg]

"While I studied abroad in Kyrgyzstan and traveled through former Soviet Republics
and Russia, the topic of Jews came up with regularity in conversations with people across
generations and ethnicities. People often ask me if I am Jewish both at home and abroad.
People say that I just “look Jewish” whatever that means. The difference is that in the
former Soviet Republics the people inquiring would not try to hide their relief when I
informed them that I am in fact not Jewish."

The general procedure for admission to a Soviet university consisted of a written and oral
test. The concept of an oral exam is unfamiliar here in America, but it is a mainstay in the
Russian education system. Students walk into the room and take a piece of paper from a
pile at the front of the classroom. This piece of paper has two questions on it and is called
the bilyet or ticket. The students are given some time to prepare their answers with only
paper and pencil. When a student has an answer, they raise their had and an examiner
comes by to check the solutions. Then the examiner asks one follow up question, evaluates
the solutions, and dismisses the student

These exams, however, were different for a Jewish student. The oral exam could last as
long as five and a half hours in one case (Kanevskii, 1980). Students were given follow up
problems one after another until they failed one of them, at which point there were given
a failing grade. Sometimes they were dismissed on a minute technicality.
There is an account of one student being asked by the examiner ”What is the definition of a
circle?” The student’s answer was ”It is the set of points in a plane, equidistant from a fixed
point” The student was informed that this was an incorrect answer, the correct answer is
"the set of all points in a plane, equidistant from a fixed point" and the student failed the
test (Saul, 1999).

Now this is only one example, but there are many stories of similar instances of ridiculous, often
times pedantic reasons for dismissal. These stories began to accumulate, and
it became blatantly obvious that an effort was being made to make it difficult for some
students in particular. Predominately it was Jewish students who received this inhumane
treatment.

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1320&context=tme

Russia's loss. Israel's gain, when doors to immigration from Russia opened up.

 

[JSOP]

Might be because you got a big hooked hooter.

Up until a few years ago, the official sign language for saying Jew was gesturing a big hooked nose with your hand. It might still be in use in some countries. That was so un PC..

Along with the hook-nose gesture for the word Jew, one of the words for representing Chinese people involves tugging at the corner of the eye. Gay is represented by a hand-flop and Samoan by pressing down on your nose.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...se-sign-language-gesture-jewish-group-demands

What's the sign language for saying Caucasians? Pouring bleach on your skin or opening wide your eyes? Can't believe the sign language plays on the stereotypes so much if this is really true.

 

[Sig]

Its interesting when you hear a bunch of developers complain about how they can't get a job because of all the Indians and the founders of the places they're interviewing at couldn't get a job at their own company and interviewees are just cannon fodder....

The answer is quite simple, start your own company. Then you get to be the founder who couldn't pass your own interview questions, or even better don't be that guy and sweep up all the great developers that the big firms stupidly reject. Or go work for a 25 person or less startup if the business and fund-raising side is still too intimidating.

If read the article carefully, it's not a problem getting a job as a software developer. It's a problem getting a job as a software developer if you've decided you need to work at Google, Facebook, Apple, or PayPal. In reality that's no different than if you decide you must work at a bulge bracket IB, for one of the top 3 management consulting firms, or for a top law firm. Great goal but you have to be aware that there are hundreds of applications for every position so you end up dealing with a combination of indifferent asshole behavior on the part of the HR and recruiting network simply because they can get away with it and a bunch of idiotic stump the chump interview questions with little bearing on the actual job. And at the end of the day the job often sucks. On the other hand, I haven't had a software developer leave in 7 years, and I like to think the interviews were pleasant even for those we didn't hire. But then you don't get to say you work for a company everyone recognizes if you work for me and apparently that's the most important factor for some folks?

 

[Aquarians]

The answer is quite simple, start your own company.

"Start your own company" advice is exactly equivalent to "win the lottery". I'm surprised people still throw this in conversations.

If read the article carefully, it's not a problem getting a job as a software developer. It's a problem getting a job as a software developer if you've decided you need to work at Google, Facebook, Apple, or PayPal. In reality that's no different than if you decide you must work at a bulge bracket IB, for one of the top 3 management consulting firms, or for a top law firm. Great goal but you have to be aware that there are hundreds of applications for every position so you end up dealing with a combination of indifferent asshole behavior on the part of the HR and recruiting network simply because they can get away with it and a bunch of idiotic stump the chump interview questions with little bearing on the actual job.

Here you are correct. Size matters If you have 100s of guys competing for a single seat, it's gonna be tough. Still it doesn't have to be "Jewish problems" level of abuse but it seems it always goes there asymptotically.

On the other hand, I haven't had a software developer leave in 7 years, and I like to think the interviews were pleasant even for those we didn't hire. But then you don't get to say you work for a company everyone recognizes if you work for me and apparently that's the most important factor for some folks?

It might be it's genuinely fine to work for you. I rarely change workplaces since as long as the current one provides a decent income (and in software they always did), I don't really expect much else in terms of compensation. My philosophy was that I'll never get wealthy through a job, that will and can only be the result of me starting a successful business, so a job is only there to support me until I hit it big. "Temporarily embarrassed millionaire" mentality, that is

Part of the reason it's easier to get a job at a smaller compay is still statistics: 2-3-10 competitors on a seat instead of 1000. Also it might be still size why smaller companies treat you as a human when you interview, even if you don't get hired. Can't approve or disprove for people working for giant companies instead of smaller ones, my personal preference is somewhere in the middle. I loathe mastodonts but small businesses also have a stability problem and may not last for long.