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New Interviewing Techniques

 
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Due to an unfortunate spate of Onion Bhaji poisonings at the staff cafeteria, you have been called upon to act as a member of the interview panel to select some computing 'professionals' for work at a distal site. Your company needs your help, but first, we need to verify your suitability for a role of such importants. Please answer these questions honestly.



1. You need some time off from interviewing to check your email - how would you go about obtaining this time?


2. You are expected to ask the prospective candidates a technical question to judge their ability. Your question is:


3. The best way determine candidate's ability to handle extremes of pressure is:
Rorschach inkblot test , or repeatedly making demanding phone calls to them at their current workplace and waiting for gunshots...

4. You're expected to ask a 'stress' question. You choose:
"Can you give an example of when a handgun is appropriate in a workplace?"

5. You have two candidates who are so alike it's difficult to choose between them.
You toss a coin or ask them to hand wrestle

6. A test of the applicant's ability to 'think outside the square' is called for. Your question is:
a. "Outline a method of integrating physical and online authentication"
b. "Describe an alternative to ASP applications that would still reduce the requirement for hands-on administration"
c. "In what non-temporary circumstances would the benefits of wireless networking outweigh those of wired - discounting cost?"
d. "Outline a situation where you might pay an interview panel a large amount of untraceable currency just to get the job"

7. When looking through a potential candidate's resume', which of the following ring warning bells:

"34th level mage, plus 10 for vanquishment, Dungeon Master" listed in hobbies
Referees all have the same surname - as the applicant
The document is more than 5 pages in length.

Similarly, the words:
"Certified OS2 Developer"
"I have a home network of MicroVaxes"
"MCSE"
"I have 40 years experience in Computing"
"I know C+++"
All of the above.

8. The HR Droid asks the candidate if they have any questions they wish to ask. The question they could ask which would most endear them to you would be: ......


9. A good candidate can often be determined by their choice of dress. For a technical role, you would be expecting to see: .....


10. As each applicant leaves the interview room, you should compliment them on some part of their interview process. You would say: ....


From "The B@!*&$%# Operator From Hell" wants to know.....
[ December 18, 2004: Message edited by: Helen Thomas ]
 
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My problem has always been with Agencies that you tend to represent IT positions these days. I've found that they just get in the way; I do understand that small companies use them as they do not have the resources for a large HR department, but the right people on a project define if it is going to be successful.
Agency staff that I speak to just do not have any understanding of a roles technical requirements � they always use �number of years of experience� (but academic experience does not count!). So someone who has hacked bad system together for years, gets put ahead of someone who may be a better developer.

Anyway I'll answer a few [I have not got time for them all] of your questions:

1. You need some time off from interviewing to check your email - how would you go about obtaining this time?

- not a problem, it only takes a few minutes to scan emails (read them but not reply). A lot of emails are computer related (like this site) - computer people tend to email each other - this is a benefit to the company. And anyway its better than being interrupted by a personal phone call. Would I work for a company that did not let you read emails? - No I would not, I did once, but left there ASAP.

2. You are expected to ask the prospective candidates a technical question to judge their ability. Your question is:

Get them to do something typical for the role they are applying for. So a Java programmer should be able to read Java code, recognize a good design etc. Of course the interviewer needs to be able to recognize these skills as well. If you are going to hire a juggle than why not get them to juggle, pointless asking him questions about it.

4. You're expected to ask a 'stress' question. You choose:
"Can you give an example of when a handgun is appropriate in a workplace?"

Only if you are in the armed forces. Guns are what that artillery use. I think you mean pistol. As a solider, you could end up carrying a artillery shell around all day, if you made this mistake!

PS - you may be interested in this BCS SPA talk [5th Jan, London], Less Code/Compilation, more Software/Practice.
[ December 21, 2004: Message edited by: Peter Rooke ]
 
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1) if your email is so important to you you shouldn't be on the interview team.
2) that would depend on the function in question. Unlike your typical HR weeny I don't need a prepared script to work from.
3) take them up in an aircraft and kill the engine, then tell them you've never flown before.

4) see 3

5) take the cheaper one

6) "You're given demonic powers. To prove you're worthy you're placed in a box with walls you cannot pass through or destroy in all 3 dimensions. If you escape in under 24 hours you will keep your powers, if not you will be cast into the depths of hell. How do you plan to escape from the box?".
P.S. this question comes from a book, extra points to the person who knows the author and title of the book

7) MCSE will alert me to trouble. I'd be slightly disappointed that the magical skills are only a hobby.
Nothing wrong with being a certified OS2 developer, I almost was one myself

8) something that really sets off the HR droid. Anyone daring to annoy HR in a job interview has guts.

9) a well fitting suit (or equivalent female attire). Call me oldfashioned, but for official business you dress in formal fashion.

10) "you'll hear from us" at least from me they'll get an answer... Their response to that could tell a lot.
 
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Originally posted by Helen Thomas:
4. You're expected to ask a 'stress' question. You choose:
"Can you give an example of when a handgun is appropriate in a workplace?"

If it is the kind of workplace that tends to be attacked by disgruntled employees "going postal" or by armed robbers.
 
Peter Rooke
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6) "You're given demonic powers. To prove you're worthy you're placed in a box with walls you cannot pass through or destroy in all 3 dimensions. If you escape in under 24 hours you will keep your powers, if not you will be cast into the depths of hell. How do you plan to escape from the box?".

Yes, but does this box exist in the fourth dimension! If you have demonic powers then travel backward in time. I think time travel [backward] is believed to be impossible, but then you did say demonic powers...Is this right? No idea about the book.

A further question; what are the origins of the word 'daemon'. I think this is why this word was chosen for Unix system processes that run in the background.

Lastly - I�ve heard the latest fashionable question for HR people to ask is:
'What type of fish are you?'
 
Helen Thomas
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Originally posted by Peter Rooke:

PS - you may be interested in this BCS SPA talk [5th Jan, London], Less Code/Compilation, more Software/Practice.



Thanks for the information, Peter.
 
Helen Thomas
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Originally posted by Peter Rooke:
[b]
Lastly - I�ve heard the latest fashionable question for HR people to ask is:
'What type of fish are you?'



What kind of smart-alec question is that ?


What type of fish are you ?


What type of fish are you?

Jelly Fish

You are a Jelly fish. You're beautiful but dangerous. You glow and float and drift and have a weird way of breathing. Good for you *runs from you*
 
Helen Thomas
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Or from quiz here.

Right so they'll know doesn't swim extremely well, can only hold breath under water for 5 seconds ( certainly can't for 10 minutes), and likes umbrellas.
[ December 21, 2004: Message edited by: Helen Thomas ]
 
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My Results:



Ghost Shrimp

You are a Ghost Shrimp. What a cool name. You scare me but facinate me. You're pretty calm and laid back despite your name and apperance.

Cool!!
 
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Take the quiz: "WHAT TYPE OF FISH ARE YOU!!"

AngelFish
Good for you!!!
 
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