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Discussion on: What’s with thinking out loud in technical interviews?

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rvprasad profile image
Venkatesh-Prasad Ranganath

I agree it is about communication. But, I believe "thinking out loud (verbalizing thoughts)" is not necessary for communication. Instead, a conversation with pauses to select, edit, and arrange thoughts before verbalizing them might work well; in fact, this would lead to better communication.

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khrome83 profile image
Zane Milakovic

Don’t disagree. I think it’s the easier way to get people to talk. There is value in it, but it’s better do some other structure that sparks dialog with the same or greater benefit.

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rvprasad profile image
Venkatesh-Prasad Ranganath

Out of curiosity, assuming you mean "other structure/mode than conversation", what would be such structure/mode that provide same or greater benefit?

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khrome83 profile image
Zane Milakovic

I believe my first comment is a fine example.

Talk out load your thought pattern is different than a conversation. In the two cases I gave, we promote conversation, not someone just describing what we are watching.

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rvprasad profile image
Venkatesh-Prasad Ranganath

Ah, I suppose pair programming would work; I haven't tried it cos' I don't test for coding during in-person interviews. As for whiteboard coding/problem solving, I suppose it would work as long as it is a conversation/dialogue as opposed to a monologue with interruptions by the interviewer :)

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khrome83 profile image
Zane Milakovic

Yep, that is exactly the idea. For me that is a practical assessment. Someone talking unnaturally over doing a algorithm does not does not represent how the person will be as a developer or what it will be like to work with them.