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Comment by smackeyacky | Hacker News Reader

If the job application requires leetcode, just do it. The worst thing that could happen is you learn something.

I’ve been in the industry since the 1980s. I don’t see AI as any kind of threat. We expected a lot of the waves of technology would reduce the need for programmers but I now view it like Jevon’s paradox: AI will expand IT uses not reduce the number of programmers.

My colleagues all lived through various paradigm shifts (visual programming, no-code, low-code, objects, client server, etc) the work never really changes for the vast majority of programmers doing productivity work like CRUD systems.

Reach out to former co workers for opportunities.

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+1 suck it up and do the leetcode. I kept failing until i studied. Never had to do it again at the job.

Hate it myself but +1 if you want to stay in the industry and you don't have other another manner of making yourself indispensible.

If you understand leetcode related stuff then you are sort of more useful than an AI, if not, well then...

FWIW you do not have to do leetcode to get a job. I’m a staff level SWE and I’ve had no problems finding non-leetcode companies, both through my own network and through browsing job listings.

I have literally never done a leetcode “whiteboard code this random problem that has nothing to do with our actual work” interview, in 25+ years in the industry.

Do you make FAANG-tier money though?

It’s not hard to make equivalent (or higher) base, but you just lose out on the stock

> just

Or you can just learn a handful of puzzle patterns in exchange for more job opportunities that would have the potential for higher overall pay. Seems like a fair trade to me.

This is a good way to frame it. I have no issue with people who choose to do this, but I choose not to.

It just feels obstinate to me. Most people will jump through all sort of bureaucratic/performative hoops when they're in a job to keep it or angle for promotions/minor raises, but this one that has a much higher average RoI turns them off. If you put your foot down on that sort of thing too then fair enough I suppose.

I have been told that I’m obstinate before :)

To be fair though, I don’t really want a Big Tech job. Several of the FAANGs, especially Facebook, are morally objectionable to me and I would switch careers before working for them. Most others have shitty working conditions with in-office policies, open office layouts, etc, that are detrimental to me getting work done.

So it’s not just about the financial RoI for me.

And I think I’m at least consistent: I’ve never been one to jump through hoops for raises or promotions either.

No, I don't, assuming you're looking at total comp including stock.

I also don't have crazy hours, stack ranking, mandatory RTO, 6 different levels of OKRs, and all the other bullshit that comes along with a FAANG job.

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