HACKER Q&A
📣 pkkm

Is an unusual keyboard layout a problem when interviewing?


A couple years ago I've switched to the Programmer Dvorak keyboard layout with an additional remapping of Caps Lock to Ctrl. This has reduced the number of awkward hand positions when programming, especially in modifier-heavy software like bash and Emacs, but now that I'm starting my job search I'm having second thoughts. On Linux (X11) the layout can be enabled easily enough with one unprivileged command, but on Windows I'd need to install it or use a program called Portable Keyboard Layout which intercepts and translates keystrokes in real time; either way involves running an .exe on someone's computer. Should I use the time I have before on-site interviews to regain some typing speed in QWERTY, or just bring my own laptop and not worry about it?

  👤 jrsala Accepted Answer ✓
I’m French and when I interviewed at a company abroad they had the usual US layout keyboards which made typing hard. I think the experience of everyone involved would have been smoother if I’d brought my own keyboard and changed the layout in the OS.

I’d say bring your own keyboard or laptop and be honest with the interviewer: you switched to Dvorak for comfort and productivity and you think you’ll perform better at the interview if they allow you to use that layout, possibly with your hardware. I don’t see how that could make you look like anything other than a conscientious professional. It’s about the attitude: will you attempt to create the best conditions for productivity and success and, failing that, can you make the best of what you are given?

👤 nick_kline
Just bring your own keyboard. Unless it's in a super high security area, no one will care.