Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> I say people being able to ask the right question is one of the most important skills to be a productive developer.

But you never know if by asking the "right" question you'll jeopardize the entire interview problem. Some interviewers may have only prepared 75% of the problem and haven't went through all the posibilities. If you ask a question that may pose itself as a "treat" (e.g., making half the problem non-sense and therefore there's no need to implement it) your interviewer may simply consider you a no-go.

And it's not about malice, but simply that you may be better prepared than the interviewer and some times that leads to a no offer. I wouldn't mind working in a place like that, so I don't usually ask "too clever" questions.



> But you never know if by asking the "right" question you'll jeopardize the entire interview problem.

Yeah. That can happen. As an interviewer i would tell the interviewee that they are right and it is because the example is a bit contrived and would ask them to pretend it still makes sense. If they are polite about the thing it would actually count in their favour.

But i understand it is a risk.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: