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Comment by nsxwolf | Hacker News Reader

This is incredibly common. I hate running interviews - we do the leetcode whiteboard pressure cooker crap - it's a policy I have no say in unfortunately. I've had candidates with strong backgrounds go to pieces right in front of me - it's awful to watch and I hate that I had anything to do with making someone experience that.

More people than you might imagine take Xanax to get through interviews.

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I don’t know whether it’s more disturbing that our interview process is structured so that Xanax is necessary in the first place, or that so many people in the comments jump in to say what a great idea it is…

I had the same thoughts. Some people need various kinds of medication, and that's fine.

But if a normally functioning person needs to start Xanax for the purpose of getting through (let's admit it) a power-play hazing ritual that has little to do with the job, then maybe that person and the rest of us should go tell those companies to take a hike. The EEOC should, as well.

Someone posted on HN recently that they slowly drink wine from a mug during remote interviews to calm themselves. People also recommended a light beta-blockers (which are incidentally used to cheat in some concentration sports like bow+arrow shooting). It sounds like a good strategy.

Don't do it, unless you are also under surveillance? Say yes and then run your block more humanely.

Or if there is some freedom around questions pick something that can be worked through. The worst are questions where if you don't know the algorithm or data structure there is no way to work it out from first principles.

> More people than you might imagine take Xanax to get through interviews.

You know, that's actually a great idea I never thought about. I'll see if I can get a script next time I go through interview loops. Might make the process less hellish for me, I hope.

Hmm Xanny… that’s not a bad idea.

Propranolol can work equally or better without the reduction in mental performance benzos and benzolike drugs bring.

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