I use a similar approach. I spent 20 years as a consultant, so I did a lot of interviews. I would send out lots of emails. I didnt do many tailored emails, but I did a carefully tailored cover letter designed to be amusing to the HR ladies. You have to get by them first.
I figured the first few interviews were throw-aways, just to get my interviewing skills back up to speed and to find what this years interview questions were. Yes, they go in fads. One year the programming task of choice was to reverse the words in a string. See it a couple of times and you get too be pretty proficient.
I keep a stock of questions to push back. I havent issued programming challenges, but I have asked, "What is your pain point? What technical issue is causing you problems?" Usually we get into a long discussion of the challenges theyare facing.
I figured the first few interviews were throw-aways, just to get my interviewing skills back up to speed and to find what this years interview questions were. Yes, they go in fads. One year the programming task of choice was to reverse the words in a string. See it a couple of times and you get too be pretty proficient.
I keep a stock of questions to push back. I havent issued programming challenges, but I have asked, "What is your pain point? What technical issue is causing you problems?" Usually we get into a long discussion of the challenges theyare facing.