Favourite interview questions
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I'm going to be conducting some interviews later this week, which I have to admit, is a new thing for me. The role is for a VBA developer, but also a bit of a general technology all-rounder. The behavioral type questions will be asked by someone else, but it's up to me to delve into the technical side of things. So, I'm looking for some suggestions! What are your favourite interview questions? Cheers, Anthony.
I was about to go to bed and flash on something, which I consider important if your are hiring a C++ programmer. What is the difference between ++i and i++, and why should you prefer one over the other? It is not a high level question and to my surprise many C++ programmers do realise its importance, or how it may affect the code. Even old school C programers (like me) prefer ++i to i++, but in C it is not that important. In C++ it can be very important, because the operator may have been overriden. The question does not decide the yes or no of hiring someone, but it does give you an idea or their level of expertise. Another possible interviewing techeque would be to have a whiteboard available. I am not good at interviews (receiving end), but give me whiteboard and I can express my knowledge in a meaningful way. Just some thoughts, good night. INTP "Program testing can be used to show the presence of bugs, but never to show their absence."Edsger Dijkstra
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We have a standard technical interview we give people at the start of the first interview. Questions are very general and dont relate to a specific technology or language. For example.... Does multi-threading make a program faster? Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
The correct answer for a VBA developer is huh? If they answer anything else you will probably end up with a multi-threaded excel macro.
I can imagine the sinking feeling one would have after ordering my book, only to find a laughably ridiculous theory with demented logic once the book arrives - Mark McCutcheon
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I'm going to be conducting some interviews later this week, which I have to admit, is a new thing for me. The role is for a VBA developer, but also a bit of a general technology all-rounder. The behavioral type questions will be asked by someone else, but it's up to me to delve into the technical side of things. So, I'm looking for some suggestions! What are your favourite interview questions? Cheers, Anthony.
here is one: "Why the hell do you want to work with VBA?" You know he's crazy if he says he likes it, pick someone else. //Roger
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There is a big difference between smart arse and funny. Perhaps its a cultural thing. If the answer was "Depends" and nothing else I would finish the questions quickly and politely see them out the door. If they said "depends" had a bit of a laugh and then went on to say why it depends I would not have a problem with it. To answer the question with "depends" and nothing else is a waste of everyones time. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
Josh Gray wrote:
To answer the question with "depends" and nothing else is a waste of everyones time.
Who said, just answer with "depends"? Crack the joke, have a little chuckle, and then give them your real answer. That's what I was talking about anyway. Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. Also visit the Ultimate Toolbox blog (New) -
I'm going to be conducting some interviews later this week, which I have to admit, is a new thing for me. The role is for a VBA developer, but also a bit of a general technology all-rounder. The behavioral type questions will be asked by someone else, but it's up to me to delve into the technical side of things. So, I'm looking for some suggestions! What are your favourite interview questions? Cheers, Anthony.
I found detailed instructions for including a specific line of text in the subject line of emails. Great for locating detail oriented people. As for interview questions ... unplug the network cable and let him debug a website for you. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the Universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." -- Stephen Crane
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Jeremy Falcon wrote:
Uptight, overreactive, anal, superiority complex, etc.
When it comes to picking people that I will have to work with every day I am proud to be anal, uptight, overreactive. My sence of superiority is clearly a fact and not a complex :) Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
:laugh: See now that's good stuff. Jeremy Falcon
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Jeremy Falcon wrote:
Oh well, where's a when you need one.
Ever had one of these [^]? Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
Nope, but now you've got me curious. Jeremy Falcon
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I read the entire thread you guys had going. :laugh: I personally find that the answer to almost all higher level programming questions begin with the phrase “it depends” followed by an explanation. The key words here are “it depends”, without that phrase they probably do not have much experience in that area. Most programming questions are not ‘yes or no’ but ‘yes and no’, because ‘it depends’. :-D INTP "Program testing can be used to show the presence of bugs, but never to show their absence."Edsger Dijkstra
John R. Shaw wrote:
Most programming questions are not ‘yes or no’ but ‘yes and no’, because ‘it depends’.
It's so true. My mom hates that too, when she asks a question about computers.
John R. Shaw wrote:
INTP
Hey me too. I suppose that's why we both get a kick out of of the "it depends" answer. Jeremy Falcon
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I'm going to be conducting some interviews later this week, which I have to admit, is a new thing for me. The role is for a VBA developer, but also a bit of a general technology all-rounder. The behavioral type questions will be asked by someone else, but it's up to me to delve into the technical side of things. So, I'm looking for some suggestions! What are your favourite interview questions? Cheers, Anthony.
atregent wrote:
What are your favourite interview questions?
When can you start? Would you like the Lexus company car or the Ferrari? Would you want the corner office of the holodeck office? :-) Why is common sense not common? Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level where they are an expert.
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I'm going to be conducting some interviews later this week, which I have to admit, is a new thing for me. The role is for a VBA developer, but also a bit of a general technology all-rounder. The behavioral type questions will be asked by someone else, but it's up to me to delve into the technical side of things. So, I'm looking for some suggestions! What are your favourite interview questions? Cheers, Anthony.
Among my questions I sprinkle a couple of "easy" questions:-D... Easy in that there are a known "right" answer;). But as we all knows, it always depends on the context what the right answer is...:) For an example: "What's your thoughts about GOTO, and please do try to explain why." Normally they result in three categories of replies. 1) "NO - BAD" = Beginner 2) "Ahh... That's a tricky question" = Beginner but aware of the trap. a) Never gives an explanation = Sneaky fellow b) "Never seen any need for them but there could..." = Either sneaky fellow or beginner with an open mind;) 3) "No, because of..." = Intermediate b) "... but maybe if one..." = Still intermediate but tries to find a solution... 4) "They do have their usage, as in..." = Advanced After a couple of these question I tend to have a rather good picture of how big their experience are, how agile their thoughts are and if they are prepared to go against common knowledge, if they decide it's necessary. All in all, I'm not particularly interested in their answer but in their reasoning coming to their conclusion. rgds /Jonas
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I'm going to be conducting some interviews later this week, which I have to admit, is a new thing for me. The role is for a VBA developer, but also a bit of a general technology all-rounder. The behavioral type questions will be asked by someone else, but it's up to me to delve into the technical side of things. So, I'm looking for some suggestions! What are your favourite interview questions? Cheers, Anthony.
I've not tried this myself, but I've heard of people who use their interview time as a pair programming session. if you use pair programming, spending 30-60 minutes with someone doing pair programming on a well-defined problem that you haven't already solved yourself is a great way to test compatibility, their thought process, and the like.
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No, the person that hacked into your account while you were away. :laugh: Jeremy Falcon
Good day gentlemen. Can we say "Way off topic"? Additionally, getting insulting in a forum is just plain silly. Now, a (hopefully) good response to the interview question posted above would be something along the lines of: A multi-threaded application would not be appropriate for applications that that would not take full advantage of the flexibility imparted by running in a multi-threaded environment. EG, a basic text editor has no need of multi-threading. But, a 3D game that is graphically intensive would very likely benefit from a careful usage of background multi-threaded routines. Also, multi-threading can keep the UI of an application responsive while handling long background tasks, such as burning CDs or DVDs, re-encoding, decoding, or otherwise converting from one file type or music/image/movie format to another, and so on. Thank you for your time, and have a pleasant day, ArchKaine Some say that ignorance is bliss... Blissful, aren't they?
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leckey wrote:
2. What is funnier in movies--monkeys or racoons and why?
Depends on the movie. The chimps in the one Air Bud movie were funny, and the raccoons in The Great Outdoors were really funny, too. It depends on the setting of the movie.
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The correct answer for a VBA developer is huh? If they answer anything else you will probably end up with a multi-threaded excel macro.
I can imagine the sinking feeling one would have after ordering my book, only to find a laughably ridiculous theory with demented logic once the book arrives - Mark McCutcheon
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atregent wrote:
What are your favourite interview questions?
When can you start? Would you like the Lexus company car or the Ferrari? Would you want the corner office of the holodeck office? :-) Why is common sense not common? Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level where they are an expert.
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Among my questions I sprinkle a couple of "easy" questions:-D... Easy in that there are a known "right" answer;). But as we all knows, it always depends on the context what the right answer is...:) For an example: "What's your thoughts about GOTO, and please do try to explain why." Normally they result in three categories of replies. 1) "NO - BAD" = Beginner 2) "Ahh... That's a tricky question" = Beginner but aware of the trap. a) Never gives an explanation = Sneaky fellow b) "Never seen any need for them but there could..." = Either sneaky fellow or beginner with an open mind;) 3) "No, because of..." = Intermediate b) "... but maybe if one..." = Still intermediate but tries to find a solution... 4) "They do have their usage, as in..." = Advanced After a couple of these question I tend to have a rather good picture of how big their experience are, how agile their thoughts are and if they are prepared to go against common knowledge, if they decide it's necessary. All in all, I'm not particularly interested in their answer but in their reasoning coming to their conclusion. rgds /Jonas
This is a pretty good question.
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Good day gentlemen. Can we say "Way off topic"? Additionally, getting insulting in a forum is just plain silly. Now, a (hopefully) good response to the interview question posted above would be something along the lines of: A multi-threaded application would not be appropriate for applications that that would not take full advantage of the flexibility imparted by running in a multi-threaded environment. EG, a basic text editor has no need of multi-threading. But, a 3D game that is graphically intensive would very likely benefit from a careful usage of background multi-threaded routines. Also, multi-threading can keep the UI of an application responsive while handling long background tasks, such as burning CDs or DVDs, re-encoding, decoding, or otherwise converting from one file type or music/image/movie format to another, and so on. Thank you for your time, and have a pleasant day, ArchKaine Some say that ignorance is bliss... Blissful, aren't they?
ArchKaine wrote:
Additionally, getting insulting in a forum is just plain silly.
Yeah, but at least we entertained a few people. :-D Jeremy Falcon
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ArchKaine wrote:
Additionally, getting insulting in a forum is just plain silly.
Yeah, but at least we entertained a few people. :-D Jeremy Falcon
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No, the person that hacked into your account while you were away. :laugh: Jeremy Falcon
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If I start getting smart arse answers in a first interview they get a quick one way trip out the back door. I expect a high level of profesionalism. We are a leader in our field and a highly desired employer so there are plently of people to choose from. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear