I have a bit of a different take on this.<p>(1) Apply to companies that aren&#x27;t software companies. I was once interviewed by a chemist at DuPont.<p>(2) If you&#x27;re not in love with your location, move <i>away</i> from the big tech hubs.<p>I suspect hiring standards are <i>much</i> lower outside SF&#x2F;Seattle&#x2F;Boston&#x2F;Denver&#x2F;Austin&#x2F;etc. There are so few people graduating from CS programs (and so few of them competent developers), that they can&#x27;t be so picky in most of the country, far away from the top schools.<p>During and at the end of my college career (CS as well), I interviewed at 10-15 companies or so for developer positions. Not a single interviewer did a live coding test. Only one wanted to go over the work samples I voluntarily provided with my resume. I got offers from all but a few of those companies. I think the reason is because I&#x27;m in suburban Pennsylvania, not San Francisco.<p>I did apply for a job at Google once while in grad school. Did two of those algorithm phone screens. I did alright, but I hated being tested under pressure like that. If I were to look for a job, I&#x27;d rule out the software companies and tech startups that interview like that. They&#x27;re not the only option.