no dogma podcast #178 Ted Neward, The Interview Industrial Complex, Part 2
Jul 9, 2025
Ted Neward, a software development expert and consultant, dives into the job search landscape. He addresses the frustrations of cover letters and the questionable relevance of traditional interview methods. Neward also discusses ageism in tech, highlighting the biases older candidates face. Additionally, he critiques the generational shift away from languages like .NET in favor of open-source options like Rust. Personal anecdotes enrich his advice on navigating job search challenges, emphasizing the importance of community and mental well-being.
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Early Cover Letter Experience
- Brian Hogan shared his university experience sending 60 cover letters and getting 3 positive responses.
- The success rate showed how cover letters once had limited but real impact in job searches.
Cover Letters Often Counterproductive
- Cover letters often backfire as templated or AI-generated versions lack genuine humanization.
- Human recruiters mainly want to confirm a resume matches a known candidate rather than review cover letters.
Varied Interviews And LeetCode Frustration
- Ted Neward experienced wildly different interview formats, from informal talks to formal STAR method sessions.
- He refused some roles requiring rote-style LeetCode problems that didn't reflect real programming skills.