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Advice for interviewing a technical manager

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  • B Offline
    B Offline
    Benjano
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    My company is in the process of hiring a new technical project manager. The first stage of the interviews have already been conducted; I have been invited to the second interviews for a few candidates to try and assess their technical competance. I have already googled for some appropriate questions, so I'm just wondering if anyone here has a good question to ask, or has been asked a good question for asessing technical knowledge. Obviously, the role is for a manager, so I'm not asking for programming tasks. Something more like an open ended question in which the candidate can go into technical details and expose their technical knoledge (or lack therof). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Ben.

    R R G E W 10 Replies Last reply
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    • B Benjano

      My company is in the process of hiring a new technical project manager. The first stage of the interviews have already been conducted; I have been invited to the second interviews for a few candidates to try and assess their technical competance. I have already googled for some appropriate questions, so I'm just wondering if anyone here has a good question to ask, or has been asked a good question for asessing technical knowledge. Obviously, the role is for a manager, so I'm not asking for programming tasks. Something more like an open ended question in which the candidate can go into technical details and expose their technical knoledge (or lack therof). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

      Ben.

      R Offline
      R Offline
      realJSOP
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Here are some questions to consider: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? What's the difference between an orange? Ginger or Marianne? Boxers or briefs? In your opinion, does the word "hyphenated" sound like some sort of medical condition associated with the anus? Why is the sky blue? If you were to die right now, would you rather be shot by an AR-15 or slashed with a machete? To add a sense of urgency to the question, lay both weapons on the table. Bring a pretty secretary into the room, and say, "So, what do you think of Ms. Hardbody's butt?"

      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
      -----
      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
      -----
      "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

      N D R B O 5 Replies Last reply
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      • R realJSOP

        Here are some questions to consider: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? What's the difference between an orange? Ginger or Marianne? Boxers or briefs? In your opinion, does the word "hyphenated" sound like some sort of medical condition associated with the anus? Why is the sky blue? If you were to die right now, would you rather be shot by an AR-15 or slashed with a machete? To add a sense of urgency to the question, lay both weapons on the table. Bring a pretty secretary into the room, and say, "So, what do you think of Ms. Hardbody's butt?"

        ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
        -----
        You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
        -----
        "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

        N Offline
        N Offline
        Nagy Vilmos
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        They're not letting you interview again then John.


        Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • B Benjano

          My company is in the process of hiring a new technical project manager. The first stage of the interviews have already been conducted; I have been invited to the second interviews for a few candidates to try and assess their technical competance. I have already googled for some appropriate questions, so I'm just wondering if anyone here has a good question to ask, or has been asked a good question for asessing technical knowledge. Obviously, the role is for a manager, so I'm not asking for programming tasks. Something more like an open ended question in which the candidate can go into technical details and expose their technical knoledge (or lack therof). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

          Ben.

          R Offline
          R Offline
          R Giskard Reventlov
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          What was it about your last project that got you excited and why? How and why did you choose the technologies with which to build your last project?

          "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

          R B 2 Replies Last reply
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          • R realJSOP

            Here are some questions to consider: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? What's the difference between an orange? Ginger or Marianne? Boxers or briefs? In your opinion, does the word "hyphenated" sound like some sort of medical condition associated with the anus? Why is the sky blue? If you were to die right now, would you rather be shot by an AR-15 or slashed with a machete? To add a sense of urgency to the question, lay both weapons on the table. Bring a pretty secretary into the room, and say, "So, what do you think of Ms. Hardbody's butt?"

            ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
            -----
            You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
            -----
            "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Dalek Dave
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            These seem perfectly sound questions.

            ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • B Benjano

              My company is in the process of hiring a new technical project manager. The first stage of the interviews have already been conducted; I have been invited to the second interviews for a few candidates to try and assess their technical competance. I have already googled for some appropriate questions, so I'm just wondering if anyone here has a good question to ask, or has been asked a good question for asessing technical knowledge. Obviously, the role is for a manager, so I'm not asking for programming tasks. Something more like an open ended question in which the candidate can go into technical details and expose their technical knoledge (or lack therof). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

              Ben.

              G Offline
              G Offline
              GuyThiebaut
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Ask them what their management style is? A very open-ended and vague question I know - but what I would be trying to find out is where on the scale of micro-management do they sit... What they do to motivate and help their team when a deadline is looming? How do they manage "impossible" deadlines? What is their favourite flavour of Krispy Kreme doughnuts?

              Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
              R D B 3 Replies Last reply
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              • R realJSOP

                Here are some questions to consider: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? What's the difference between an orange? Ginger or Marianne? Boxers or briefs? In your opinion, does the word "hyphenated" sound like some sort of medical condition associated with the anus? Why is the sky blue? If you were to die right now, would you rather be shot by an AR-15 or slashed with a machete? To add a sense of urgency to the question, lay both weapons on the table. Bring a pretty secretary into the room, and say, "So, what do you think of Ms. Hardbody's butt?"

                ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                -----
                You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                -----
                "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                R Offline
                R Offline
                R Giskard Reventlov
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?

                Only on the third Thursday in December when the moon is a balloon

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                What's the difference between an orange?

                Crusty flanges.

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                Ginger or Marianne?

                Oh, Ginger, every time.

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                Boxers or briefs?

                Commando.

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                In your opinion, does the word "hyphenated" sound like some sort of medical condition associated with the anus?

                Yes

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                Why is the sky blue?

                It's blue??? Shit, my eyes are worse than you thought.

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                If you were to die right now, would you rather be shot by an AR-15 or slashed with a machete? To add a sense of urgency to the question, lay both weapons on the table.

                Help me! Help me!

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                Bring a pretty secretary into the room, and say, "So, what do you think of Ms. Hardbody's butt?"

                Get me a Krispy Kreme, you fool!

                "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                S 1 Reply Last reply
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                • R R Giskard Reventlov

                  What was it about your last project that got you excited and why? How and why did you choose the technologies with which to build your last project?

                  "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                  R Offline
                  R Offline
                  realJSOP
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  digital man wrote:

                  What was it about your last project that got you excited and why?

                  Response: "We had our own version of Ms. Hardbody, and her butt was a prize-winner. Whenever she walked into our office, we all got major wood, wink-wink-nudge-nudge."

                  ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                  -----
                  You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                  -----
                  "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                  D R 2 Replies Last reply
                  0
                  • G GuyThiebaut

                    Ask them what their management style is? A very open-ended and vague question I know - but what I would be trying to find out is where on the scale of micro-management do they sit... What they do to motivate and help their team when a deadline is looming? How do they manage "impossible" deadlines? What is their favourite flavour of Krispy Kreme doughnuts?

                    Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
                    R Offline
                    R Offline
                    realJSOP
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    GuyThiebaut wrote:

                    Ask them what their management style is?

                    Response: "Can I borrow your machete so I can demonstrate?"

                    GuyThiebaut wrote:

                    How do they manage "impossible" deadlines?

                    Response: "Can I borrow your AR-15 so I can demonstrate?"

                    ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                    -----
                    You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                    -----
                    "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                    G 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • R realJSOP

                      Here are some questions to consider: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? What's the difference between an orange? Ginger or Marianne? Boxers or briefs? In your opinion, does the word "hyphenated" sound like some sort of medical condition associated with the anus? Why is the sky blue? If you were to die right now, would you rather be shot by an AR-15 or slashed with a machete? To add a sense of urgency to the question, lay both weapons on the table. Bring a pretty secretary into the room, and say, "So, what do you think of Ms. Hardbody's butt?"

                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                      B Offline
                      B Offline
                      Benjano
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      "Why is the sky blue?" does have some potential get some interesting answers and could act as a filter for jargon spouters...as soon as they hear the words "blue" and "sky" in the same sentence, they'll start spoting a load of buzzword nonsense, and immediately go on my black-list.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • R realJSOP

                        digital man wrote:

                        What was it about your last project that got you excited and why?

                        Response: "We had our own version of Ms. Hardbody, and her butt was a prize-winner. Whenever she walked into our office, we all got major wood, wink-wink-nudge-nudge."

                        ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                        -----
                        You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                        -----
                        "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                        D Offline
                        D Offline
                        Dalek Dave
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                        major wood

                        Is that the same Major Wood who served under General Apathy and was in charge of Private Parts?

                        ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

                        G 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • R realJSOP

                          GuyThiebaut wrote:

                          Ask them what their management style is?

                          Response: "Can I borrow your machete so I can demonstrate?"

                          GuyThiebaut wrote:

                          How do they manage "impossible" deadlines?

                          Response: "Can I borrow your AR-15 so I can demonstrate?"

                          ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                          -----
                          You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                          -----
                          "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                          G Offline
                          G Offline
                          GuyThiebaut
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Would you like a cup of Chamomile tea? :-D

                          Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
                          R 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • R realJSOP

                            digital man wrote:

                            What was it about your last project that got you excited and why?

                            Response: "We had our own version of Ms. Hardbody, and her butt was a prize-winner. Whenever she walked into our office, we all got major wood, wink-wink-nudge-nudge."

                            ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                            -----
                            You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                            -----
                            "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            R Giskard Reventlov
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Who are you and what have you done with the real JSOP???

                            "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                            R 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • G GuyThiebaut

                              Ask them what their management style is? A very open-ended and vague question I know - but what I would be trying to find out is where on the scale of micro-management do they sit... What they do to motivate and help their team when a deadline is looming? How do they manage "impossible" deadlines? What is their favourite flavour of Krispy Kreme doughnuts?

                              Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              Dan Neely
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              GuyThiebaut wrote:

                              What is their favourite flavour of Krispy Kreme doughnuts?

                              The cardboard box they're packaged in. Nasty vile disgusting things they are. X|

                              Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                              R 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • D Dalek Dave

                                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                                major wood

                                Is that the same Major Wood who served under General Apathy and was in charge of Private Parts?

                                ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

                                G Offline
                                G Offline
                                GuyThiebaut
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Related to Colonel Parameters (Kernal Parameters...)?

                                Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
                                R 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • G GuyThiebaut

                                  Would you like a cup of Chamomile tea? :-D

                                  Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
                                  R Offline
                                  R Offline
                                  realJSOP
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  You can't say "chamomile" without losing a moderate number of man-points...

                                  ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                  -----
                                  You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                  -----
                                  "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                                  G 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • G GuyThiebaut

                                    Related to Colonel Parameters (Kernal Parameters...)?

                                    Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
                                    R Offline
                                    R Offline
                                    R Giskard Reventlov
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Wasn't his brother-in-law in the Navy? Seaman Staines?

                                    "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • R R Giskard Reventlov

                                      Who are you and what have you done with the real JSOP???

                                      "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      realJSOP
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      How was that post not JSOP-esque?

                                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                      -----
                                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                      -----
                                      "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                                      G 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • B Benjano

                                        My company is in the process of hiring a new technical project manager. The first stage of the interviews have already been conducted; I have been invited to the second interviews for a few candidates to try and assess their technical competance. I have already googled for some appropriate questions, so I'm just wondering if anyone here has a good question to ask, or has been asked a good question for asessing technical knowledge. Obviously, the role is for a manager, so I'm not asking for programming tasks. Something more like an open ended question in which the candidate can go into technical details and expose their technical knoledge (or lack therof). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

                                        Ben.

                                        E Offline
                                        E Offline
                                        Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        If two programmers disagree on a task, one has more years with the company but the other has more significant experience in the subject how would you decided where to eat for lunch?

                                        Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. I also do Android Programming as I find it a refreshing break from the MS. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost

                                        S 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • D Dan Neely

                                          GuyThiebaut wrote:

                                          What is their favourite flavour of Krispy Kreme doughnuts?

                                          The cardboard box they're packaged in. Nasty vile disgusting things they are. X|

                                          Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                                          R Offline
                                          R Offline
                                          realJSOP
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          +1

                                          ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                          -----
                                          You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                          -----
                                          "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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