Bad Hiring Practices
I've been bitching about the stupid hiring practices used by Microsoft (and others) for a while so I'm glad someone recognized it and wrote
an article. From the article:
Sorkin, who holds a doctorate in computer science from the University of California, Los Angeles, said he first received an unsolicited invitation to Microsoft's Redmond, Wash., headquarters in about 2000, on the recommendation of a senior Microsoft manager. But rather than attempt to win him over as a prize prospect--Sorkin specializes in operating system design and computer security, among other areas--Microsoft interviewers challenged him with a technical "pop quiz," he recalled. No one tried to sell him on either the company or the job, he said. He withdrew his application.
I've said it before but why not once more for good luck - WTF is this world coming to when a company thinks it can get away with sand-bagging a Doctor of CompSci?
This type of practice might work on wet behind the ears green horns who jump at the chance to prove their IQ and compare penis-length, but to use the same techniques on a PhD who you should be wooing? I didn't spend 10 friggin years in school to be called "Mr. Evil". Trick questions about manhole covers, brain-busters, scribbled math problems on white-boards, "if you are lucky you can work in our boiler room" attitudes.. these things have no place in professional software development.