“Passion” in Interviews? Software Developers Need to Demand Better
I’ve noticed an increasing number of job adverts asking potential software engineering recruits to have ‘passion’. What does this trend in job adverts mean, what do they mean by this?
“Passion doesn’t mean what you think it does.
Companies ask if you’re up for it in the prologue to the story of your collaboration.
As for what ‘up for it’ might mean. Read on.”
Checking for passion: The Advert
They check if your Passion is “Ready for the Challenge™” at the door, right when you apply to these guys. It’s so early that they place this call for passion right in the job advert.
“When a company does this they only want the hardcore. They might as well put a sign on the door indicating that only those who wish to be abused should apply.
If a company is asking for passion right in the job advert they are likely interpreting passion as an expectation that you need to work long hours and hard.
Sure this doesn’t apply to all job adverts asking for passion. Still, the question needs to be asked — who is passionate about lowcode. Accountancy software. Agile?
Please let me know in the comments etc.”
Checking for passion: The Interview
The demand for passion may not be revealed in the job advert but might be hidden away for the job interview.
“Demanding passion of employees at the interview as a surprise behavioral question?
That’s wrong because a potential employee should be able to decide if the position is right for them according to the job specification (and be able to prepare for the questions from that.
Asking if you’re passionate about the brand / product / software development cycle in an interview is a low blow.
I’m not sure everyone feels genuine passion for their life partner on the first meeting and it isn’t usually appropriate to say you feel passion for your interviewer.”
Conclusion
“I wouldn’t care about recruitment usually. The processes developers need to go through are broken and seldom deliver the best candidates for jobs.
Whenever employers demand the passion of new employees, it is a red flag warning sign for developers. Passion doesn’t mean what you think it does. It doesn’t mean red roses and fun.
It means long hours and coding.
If that is what you want from a job fine. I just wish employers were a little less oblique in their wishes.”