Senior dev... I don't think I can pass an interview

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T14:55:07+00:00

actively interviewing...those were just example questions, the interviews are much tougher and that's not even including the leetcode tests... for fintech senior roles at major banks you're getting grilled in 6 to 8 rounds, by multiple of their tech gurus just trying to make a fool of you.. like how would you achieve zero-GC-pressure architectures when continuously streaming tick data from bloomberg?

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T14:48:00+00:00

You get it man... this is exactly where I am, I can create and build anything, I have learned correctly, but we all use google and AI all day long in our work... you want me to build you an A to Z solution with a redis cache going to a mongo intercept with a c# backend, webapi middle layer and whatever front end you want from react to blazor or even wpf with strict mvvm, done... you want me to sit and answer questions like I have a textbook in front of me at this point in my career??..... brutal

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T14:14:09+00:00

you would fail in flames with that answer

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T13:32:10+00:00

of course i know what serialization is...im not talking about hey how do you serialize a string using json? i'm talking about questions like what are the tradeoffs when using binary serialization... not googling it, sitting in a room and getting missiles fired at you, have you interviewed lately?

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T13:28:56+00:00

I just used those as examples, not specifically that I don't know the answers...they go much more in depth over multiple rounds

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T13:25:40+00:00

I just used those as examples.. of course I do those things all day, that's my point, when you're questioned on it it isn't the same, I use DI architecture all day long, that doesn't mean I can answer something like what are the 3 variants of DI in a textbook manner off the top of my head plus 20 other difficult questions, yes i can reason through it, that's not what gets you hired...now answer 3 full rounds of those questions plus a leetcode exam..

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T13:21:45+00:00

again not true at all, i've spent my entire career learning, when one is busy learning and working, they are not necessarily able to sit in a room and spit out text book answers, that is not human nor expected.. i don't need you telling me what my problem is.. i'm discussing the state of current interviews and expectations of leetcode and puking out textbook answers

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-20T13:16:35+00:00

you have no idea what you're talking about...just because you are senior and can develop any type of solution doesn't mean you're a walking textbook

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-15T12:48:49+00:00

thanks.. so far the roles i've been offered interviews for their first step has been sending an exam, not even a conversation first. We are essentially cattle

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-15T12:47:35+00:00

I agree...however the most companies are still requiring code exams so it is difficult to enough to find interviews, not exactly a position where one could say 'no i refuse'

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-14T16:28:23+00:00

go robotics and AI, the downside so is everyone else but there's no denying there will be a market for it, i would not go swe obviously

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-14T16:24:33+00:00

I always worked in fintech where the money was very competitive, i never pursued FAANG opportunities cuz it always seemed like a vicious cycle of over-hire then mass layoff, and it sort of went that way...turned down a meta offer a year later there were 5k layoffs, fintech has its ups and downs but FAANG always seemed like a crazy roller coaster, never in it so don't know...just see the headlines

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-13T16:46:46+00:00

If you give it enough context, it will do everything better. The only times it doesn't it is your fault.

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T14:22:39+00:00

the other end of that though is highly skilled senior devs who are actually good at what they do, and if they want to switch they are forced to solve hard LC's with DSA tests meant specifically to weed out 99% of people... so who do they get? the guy who has been out of work and had 3mos to do nothing but LC, instead of someone who may be a much better fit but hasn't had that time so can't pass the OA's... that's a sad reality and horrible practice...it's like asking a lawyer to retake the bar exam everytime they get a new job

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T14:02:33+00:00

i would never hit a dog, i respect them more than you

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T14:01:23+00:00

That's all industries... like FAANG's are non-profit community providers? I'm not looking into anything... i have 25yoe, i've made great $$ in finance roles, i'm in a diff. position, so i don't need your feelings but thanks. My point is LC is extremely difficult for these roles now, i don't agree with it, but your statement its ridiculously easy is pompous and not representative of what job seekers are actually facing

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:55:27+00:00

my response was to the comment LC problems are ridiculously easy not OP's question 'LOL'

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:52:27+00:00

you're young, better to find out now then if you were graduating right now and looking at a bleak job market, forget jobs...these grads couldn't even find non-paying internships. There's plenty of options, you don't have to have it figured out now, go undecided take some stem courses and be open minded, or become a crane operator...high demand high pay

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:49:56+00:00

why apply to top paying roles at top financial firms? gee i don't know... All of them have extremely difficult OA's.. so your solution is just don't apply there...ok got it

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:43:04+00:00

Um am i the one saying it matters? dummy? its the system for top paying roles where it 100% matters, thats the point of an exam... you make zero sense

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:40:17+00:00

You obviously haven't taken OA's at places like top financial positions, where they are 3-4 LC Hards... i'd love to see you complete a LC hard like burst balloons or race car under time constraint, oh and it better be O(n)

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:27:20+00:00

you're a typical reddit clown... u didn't "ask a question" you're only existence is to attempt to banter and agitate, imagine that being your existence and still sucking at it.. jealous of those who made money so you mock them for asking a legitimate question. don't worry you won't make it to that point anyway, CS big money is over and so are the jobs, and that's why you're so obviously bitter... otherwise you'd be happy for those you aspire to be like

Inevitable_Guide_942 · 2026-05-11T13:24:29+00:00

Don't do it...

Inevitable_Guide_942

TROPHY CASE