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Comment by nobleach | Hacker News Reader

That wasn't my experience at all. I had a recruiter screen where she asked me some technical questions. I then had a longer discussion, then a code screen, then an arch-deep-dive. The entire process was very professional and EVERY person came off like they really wanted me to succeed. (Sure it's an act but it's a very helpful act when you're in the hot seat)

My intervews were in 20202/2021. Perhaps things have changed?

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Things have changed. I worked with a very senior and professional recruiter at FB during that time. While things didn't work out then, someone else reached maybe a year and a half ago for a fairly similar role -- massive difference, strictly a disposable drone style process and barely a conversation. I chose to not even start the process.

A sample size of one but many anecdotes together can make a trend.

2020/2021 might as well be ancient history in tech terms. Your experience does not reflect the current status quo at all.

This seems a bit ridiculous, that’s only 5-6 years ago. Things change, but the mechanisms and culture isn’t entirely different.

Back in 2020, $META was desperate to hire. Nowadays the tide has turned and interview process shifted accordingly. They are super picky now, even for those who nail every stage of the interview, folks are still routinely passed over.

Market was so hot SNL did a skit where Meta just started sending paychecks to people as a recruiting tactic.

That SNL skit never happened, but the market was so hot it could have.

Remind me, was there a major event 5-6 years ago?

I interviewed in the past 2 years and my experience matches the parent. Very professional and the interviewers were great to talk to. Same with Google.

If it was the exuberant period of overhiring from around that time, then you're talking about a different company who interviewed you back then

The recruiting process has barely changed since then.

I had an interview in 2024 and my interviewer was CLEARLY doing other stuff during the interview. So a very different experience.

My experience as well, both at Google and Meta. Very positive and well-organized. I also got feedback from the recruiter on each interviews.

You had interviews scheduled longer than 45 minutes?

It was my experience as well in Dec 2025

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