Software Developer Interviews

If there's one thing I've noticed about software developer interviews these days is that they are more challenging and unique with each company. You have to be at the top of your game; talented, intelligent and skillful, to get ahead of the competition and score the job you WANT.

Since looking for a job since October last year I've been to only 3 interviews. I nearly got the first one as I was flown all the way to Cape Town for the final stage of the interview. The assessment and interviews were technical and revolved around object-oriented programming and principles. This is my area of expertise and I felt confident progressing through the interview process so naturally until, boom! "Even though your background and skills are impressive, other candidates most closely matched the qualifications we are looking for".

Competition! Big businesses mean business!

I say that because in the past I've worked for two small software solutions companies. The interview for the first company I worked for was simple: Create a DVD store web app. I became the chosen one. Then in the second company I had to create an ER diagram for a simple database. I was the bestest. Where was the competition back then? In larger corporations, duh!

Since pursuing a bachelor's degree I've had bigger opportunities to work at companies many covet to work in. However, I've been struggling in my attempt at the interview processes.

The second assessment since job hunting did not test my programming skills and knowledge. It was a math aptitude test which we had to score 80% in. I got 55%. Math was never my forte. Today I wrote the third interview assessment from a different company which I would really like to work for. It tested my deductive and english skills and whether I can read charts and diagrams.

Although the questions were simple, there was a very short time to answer them. So in essence they were testing whether I could think quickly and respond correctly. Nightmare! I can't. I mean in one test I had to answer 49 questions in 12 minutes! Who does that?! But it did say not everyone completes all the questions. But they are still implying there are some who do! Again, who?! Must be some droid because they didn't test if I was a robot.

But from my theological studies, I have learned about the signature map of the soul which makes people unique. So some have singular intelligence and others don't. I can't compete with that. So most of us have to settle for the jobs we NEED. It's too bad the world honours those who are exceptional in their field for these are the ones who get rich. But I am content because my life is not about surviving in this world. My life is about covenant with God who enriches my soul adding quality to life.