Tech Interview Torture Chamber
Surprised I don't see my main pet peeve - early reference check.  Before I even talk to anyone I'm asked to provide three phone numbers of three former managers.  So I have to call them up, make sure the number is still working, and ask for the favor that they can give me a reference in case anyone reads my application.<p>All of these other things are on me.  References I have to call two or three (or at one company, six) people and ask for the favor of giving a reference - just to apply to a job.<p>Of course I can fold my arms and refuse to give them, but if we're starting off on that footing, I might as well just break off the interview.<p>If we're nearing an offer, I have no problem giving references, it's just silly to have to worry about my references getting calls before I've even talked to anyone at the company.<p>My more minor peeve with interviews is not mentioned as well.  That is, scheduling the in-person interview.  If a company is flexible, I could take an extended lunch and have an interview wrapped up within a 60-90 minute lunch break (or better yet, go after normal business hours).  But companies keep you around for hours, sometimes just sitting there waiting to talk to people.  Inevitably one of the main people you were supposed to talk to is unavailable to speak to you that day.  It's understandable an in-person interview is during business hours and can be a few hours long, it's more the ones that waste my time for no reason that annoy me.