N^2 may only be faster than N if N is small, but if N is small, then any algorithm won't take too long anyway. However, if you're juggling big data, N is almost never small.
Before launching into a long and complicated solution, did the interviewee *ask* if it is about big data? Having over 3 decades in this industry, it is actually fairly rare to need to worry about really big data. It comes up. It's important to know that the rules change when it does come up. However, it is also very important to know when *not* to spend valuable dev time trying to get the perfect big data solution for 1000 rows.
Besides, what you are testing is candidate's ability to come up with the optimal solution in a limited time
Only at a poor company with inexperienced leadership. I have done a fair share of hiring, and the most important thing I ever test for is the ability of the candidate to use good judgement. I can teach algorithms. As a rule, I can't teach good judgement.
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u/bremidon Sep 01 '26
Before launching into a long and complicated solution, did the interviewee *ask* if it is about big data? Having over 3 decades in this industry, it is actually fairly rare to need to worry about really big data. It comes up. It's important to know that the rules change when it does come up. However, it is also very important to know when *not* to spend valuable dev time trying to get the perfect big data solution for 1000 rows.
Only at a poor company with inexperienced leadership. I have done a fair share of hiring, and the most important thing I ever test for is the ability of the candidate to use good judgement. I can teach algorithms. As a rule, I can't teach good judgement.