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I’m back for a fucking rant.

My previous post I was happy, I’ve had an interview today and I felt the interviewer acted with integrity and made the role seem worthwhile. Fuck it, here’s the link:
https://www.devrant.io/rants/889363

So, since then; the recruiter got in touch: “smashed it son, sending the tech demo your way, if you can get it done this evening that would be amazing”

Obviously I said based on the exact brief I think that’s possible, I’ll take a look and let them know if it isn’t.

Having done loads of these, I know I can usually knock them out and impress in an evening with no trouble.

Here’s where shit gets fucked up; i opened the brief.

I was met with a brief for an MVP using best practice patterns and flexing every muscle with the tech available...

Then I see the requirements, these fucking dicks are after 10 functional requirements averaging an hour a piece.

+TDD so * 1.25,
+DI and dependency inversion principle * 1.1
+CI setup (1h on this platform)
+One ill requirement to use a stored proc in SQL server to return a view (1h)
+UX/UI design consideration using an old tech (1-2h)
+unobtrusive jquery form post validation (2h)
+AES-256 encryption in the db... add 2h for proper testing.

These cunts want me to knock 15-20h of Work into their interview tech demo.

I’ve done a lot of these recently, all of them topped out at 3h max.

The job is middling: average package, old tech, not the most exciting or decent work.

The interviewer alluded to his lead being a bit of a dick; one of those “the code comes first” devs.

Here’s where shit gets realer:
They’ve included mock ups in the tech demo brief’s zip... I looked at them to confirm I wasn’t over estimating the job... I wasn’t.

Then I looked at the other files in the fucking zip.

I found 3 of the images they wanted to use were copyright withheld... there’s no way these guys have the right to distribute these.

Then I look in the font folder, it’s a single ttf, downloaded from fucking DA Font... it was published less than 2mo ago, the license file had been removed: free for Personal, anything else; contact me.

There’s no way these guys have any rights to this font, and I’ve never seen a font redistributed legally without it’s accompanying licence files.

This fucking company is constantly talking about its ethical behaviours.

Given that I know what I’m doing; I know it would have taken less time to find free-for-commercial images and use a google font... this sloppy bullshit is beyond me.

Anyway, I said I’d get back to the recruiter, he wasn’t to know and he’s a good guy. I let him know I’d complete the tech demo over the weekend, he’s looked after me and I don’t want him having trouble with his client...

I’ll substitute the copyright fuckery with images I have a license for because there’s no way I’m pushing copyright stolen material to a public github repo.

I’ll also be substituting the topic and leaving a few js bombs in there to ensure they don’t just steal my shit.

Here’s my hypotheses, anyone with any more would be greatly welcomed...
1: the lead dev is just a stuck up arsehole, with no real care for his work and a relaxed view on stealing other people’s.
2: they are looking for 15-20h free work on an MVP they can modify and take to market
3: they are looking for people to turn down this job so they can support someone’s fucking visa.

In any case, it’s a shit show and I’ll just be seeing this as box checking and interview practice...

Arguments for 1: the head told me about his lead’s problems within 20mn of the interview.
2: he said his biggest problem was getting products out quickly enough.
3: the recruiter told me they’d been “picky”, and they’re making themselves people who can’t be worked for.

I’m going to knock out the demo, keep it private and protect my work well. It’s going to smash their tits off because I’m a fucking great developer... I’ll make sure I get the offer to keep the recruiter looked after.

Then fuck those guys, I’m fucking livid.

After a wonderful interview experience and a nice introduction to the company I’ve been completely put off...

So here’s the update: if you’re interviewing for a shitty middle level dev position, amongst difficult people, on an out of date stack... you need people to want you, don’t fuck them off.

If they want my time to rush out MVPs, they can pay my day rate.

Fuuuuuuuuck... I typed this out whilst listening to the podcast, I’m glad I’m not the only one dealing with shit.

Oh also; I had a lovely discriminatory as fuck application, personality test and disability request email sent to me from a company that seems like it’s still in the 90s. Fuck those guys too, I reported them to the relevant authorities and hope they’re made to look at how morally reprehensible their recruitment process is. The law is you don’t ask if the job can be done by anyone.

Comments
  • 3
    @hash-table thanks for the heads up man.

    I’m in the uk at then minute and when I do relocate I’m aiming at the valley because the missus would also like to be there.

    Luckily my phone’s been ringing off the hook and this isn’t the first or last company after me 😊

    I have a really cool opportunity with a leading publisher of programming books. I like the idea of that role because it allows me to give back to a company that helped shape my career.

    Standard man, sometimes they expect things out of those challenges... but forget that they’re asking for a demo in a couple hours rather than the finished product.
  • 1
    Might I ask how old are you man? Sounds like tons of experience. Still a long way to go for a first year dev like me lol.

    Best or luck otherwise!
  • 3
    @TheCapeGreek of course, open and honest communication! Also thanks for the luck 😊

    I’m 26, with 5 years commercial experience as a full stack/polyglot developer for a FTSE 100.

    I started developing in HTML, CSS and Javascript at the age of 12 and have spanned so many different languages and paradigms in that time that I quickly become the go-to on complex questions when I’m working for a company.

    I’m also quite confident so presenting and demonstrating our abilities to chiefs, board members and potential investors isn’t at all difficult.

    The company’s Ive been with have really allowed me to thrive and show what I’m capable of.

    2012 I was a new grad with a wealth of theory and a little freelance under my belt... went into the company as a junior and quickly made it to senior in 3-4 years.

    My best advice to yourself as a first year: learn the common languages that always look after you, and learn them well... html, css and JavaScript have given me a competitive edge, once I’d shown how capable I was with them people were happy to teach me various back-ends, paradigms and quickly add to my cv.

    On top of that, don’t lock yourself down to a single language or set of languages, be flexible... what I mean there is once you’re tried and practiced on one stack, try another.

    And never loose the childlike wonder, investigate new things, work out how something works, play around.

    If you want any more info or specifics I’m always happy to help the next generation, you’re probably not that much younger than me?
  • 1
    @jamescodesthing Thanks for the info! I'm 21 and a 3rd year student (finish next year) with a job. I pretty much have free reign as to how I implement projects at work, so long as it won't cost too much.
  • 1
    @TheCapeGreek

    Sound man 😊 well done!

    I was in the same situation 5 years back, cracking job. All the best of luck with your endeavours.
  • 2
    @hash-table I always find it funny when Java devs tell me they wouldn’t like to try out c#.net...

    Not only are the paradigms agnostic but Java and C# are both c-style that look remarkably similar.

    That’s why I’ve always been a polyglot, I’d hate to get stuck into just one language set. It feels like stocks: diversify.

    Glad to hear you’re going after what you want man!

    I’m looking at js based full stack at the moment, it’s great fun.
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