Unfortunately, some insecure developers sign up to be interviewers precisely to feel superiority and power over interviewees. I've both worked with and been interviewed by some of these people - they seem particularly prominent in the valley. Anecdotally, Google was the worst of the big tech companies with cocky, condescending interviewers that came in wearing Ivy league sweaters. By contrast, all of my interviews at mid-level tech companies were equally difficult technically, but much more pleasant and engaging.
This seems like politics as well. I know a lot of people with well-formed, thoughtful opinions that I think would do a great job making laws, but have enough self-doubt/disinterest that it's never going to happen.
You know what would be fun and really engaging? Watching a subject-matter-expert and a skilled lawyer pair-program on writing the outline of some legislation.
All interview material should be run through mock interviews with internal developers before asking anyone outside the company. This is the first step to preventing legitimately stupid questions from making its way into your process.
>>Unfortunately, some insecure developers sign up to be interviewers precisely to feel superiority and power over interviewees.
Had this experience recently. In the 2 hours or so interview. The interviewer bragged and boasted about himself for a good 1.5 hours. Out of 30 minutes of question/answer time I got he would routinely and very rudely interrupt me to tell in a humiliating tone that I was wrong.
Care to share the name of this company? I think the names of these companies should be made public for the general good of HN audience.
I know not everyone in that company would be humiliating like this interviewer but it tells something about the company if they hire such people and put them in the chair of an interviewer no less.
