Interviewing a junior developer
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I've tried to give up puns, but it's a hard halibut to break.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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What we think isn't important. It's what you think that counts. You will be doing the interview. What are you going to do half way through, when you can't quite remember what we said, break off to log on to CP and get clarification?
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.
That is SUCH a cop-out. Like those chumps in the pub who, when you ask them what they meant by some stupid thing they just said, they twirl their eyebrows arrogantly and say "what do you think it means..?" like they're Spock or something and they think they're being all edgy and interesting when in fact they're just being annoying. X| Gentle suggestion... Answer the man's question, suggest some areas of knowledge for him to look for. He's looking for ideas and pointers. I guess my tone might be a little hard here, and I know you're a respected member. But some of us don't have the benefit of experience, and when I go looking for hints, and all I get are "Well, what do you think?", I already know that, dammit! That's why I'm asking for your ideas.
Smokie, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules. www.geticeberg.com http://melpadden.wordpress.com
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I have recently been promoted to a managing position in my company, and next week I'll have to conduct my first interview, which will be for a junior C#/.NET developer position. I would like to ask you guys what kind of questions you think are important to ask someone applying for this job, and the basic knowledges you think the candidates should have. Thanks in advance for your help.
- Ginger or Marianne? 1) Boxers or briefs? 2) What is your opinion of the word "hyphenated"? 3) What's the difference between an orange? 4) If you were traveling on an un-marked circle with no visible landmarks, would you know a stopping point when you saw it? 5) If a man spoke in the forest, and there wasn't a woman around to hear him,, would he still be wrong? 6) If I punched you right now, what would you do? 7) Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? 8) 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. 9) 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
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"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, 1997modified on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 7:43 AM
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I've tried to give up puns, but it's a hard halibut to break.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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- Ginger or Marianne? 1) Boxers or briefs? 2) What is your opinion of the word "hyphenated"? 3) What's the difference between an orange? 4) If you were traveling on an un-marked circle with no visible landmarks, would you know a stopping point when you saw it? 5) If a man spoke in the forest, and there wasn't a woman around to hear him,, would he still be wrong? 6) If I punched you right now, what would you do? 7) Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party? 8) 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. 9) 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
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"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, 1997modified on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 7:43 AM
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
- If I punched you right now, what would you do?
If you were manly enough, the correct first response is bleed. If you're a weedy interview type, the correct response is laugh at you and then rip your head off.
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
- Boxers or briefs?
I don't know. I've never fought a brief before, but I do know that being hit by a boxer hurts.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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I did, but some of those sites looked a bit fishy to me. I wasn't going to be hooked like that. *Fair warning* One of my hobbies is fishing, so I could keep these puns going for a very long time as this part of the thread is much more interesting.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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5fingers wrote:
1. Why are you not married?
Depending where you live, asking that could be illegal.
5fingers wrote:
2. If we give you salary what will you do with it?
None of your business.
5fingers wrote:
3. Do you like more money and less work?
So, lie and get the job or tell the truth and not get the job?
5fingers wrote:
6. Have you ever hacked any system
And what would you do if somebody says yes? You really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer are you?
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
You really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer are you?
Surely, he was joking?
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Read the Little Book of Clam.
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This is priceless: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000073.html
That's pretty good.
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
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Read the Little Book of Clam.
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
You really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer are you?
Surely, he was joking?
Maybe but Huffle has form.
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
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
- If I punched you right now, what would you do?
If you were manly enough, the correct first response is bleed. If you're a weedy interview type, the correct response is laugh at you and then rip your head off.
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
- Boxers or briefs?
I don't know. I've never fought a brief before, but I do know that being hit by a boxer hurts.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
I don't know. I've never fought a brief before, but I do know that being hit by a boxer hurts.
I think fights with briefs would be a lot shorter.
".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 -
That is SUCH a cop-out. Like those chumps in the pub who, when you ask them what they meant by some stupid thing they just said, they twirl their eyebrows arrogantly and say "what do you think it means..?" like they're Spock or something and they think they're being all edgy and interesting when in fact they're just being annoying. X| Gentle suggestion... Answer the man's question, suggest some areas of knowledge for him to look for. He's looking for ideas and pointers. I guess my tone might be a little hard here, and I know you're a respected member. But some of us don't have the benefit of experience, and when I go looking for hints, and all I get are "Well, what do you think?", I already know that, dammit! That's why I'm asking for your ideas.
Smokie, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules. www.geticeberg.com http://melpadden.wordpress.com
My point was that it's the company the OP works for. We know nothing about it, the work it does nor the precise definition of 'Junior Developer' within that organization. Whatever any of us write here could easily be misunderstood/misinterpreted by the OP and therefore cause difficulties in the interview process. It is not a cop-out at all. The OP's company obviously had sufficient faith in their abilities to promote them to that position and they should therefore have the same belief in their own abilities. In any event, they should be discussing this with their colleagues/HR if they have any doubts. If it had been a case where the OP was starting a new company and therefore had no colleagues in addition to little experience in this area, then it might be more appropriate to ask in a forum like this.
Mel Padden wrote:
and I know you're a respected member
Not necessarily true. Longevity and verbosity bring 'reputation' points which does not have to imply respect. :-D
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
I don't know. I've never fought a brief before, but I do know that being hit by a boxer hurts.
I think fights with briefs would be a lot shorter.
".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, 1997TBH it depends on who's wearing the briefs. If it was Salma Hayek I would hope it went on for some time.
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
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I obviously have a couple of ideas of my own. But this being the very first time I'll ever interview someone, I wanted to know other, maybe more experienced, people's opinions on the subject.
aureliosjr wrote:
I wanted to know other, maybe more experienced, people's opinions on the subject.
In a situation like this you should be talking to people in your company. Colleagues, or if you absolutely must HR :). The responses that you will get there will be far more relevant to the situation.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.
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My point was that it's the company the OP works for. We know nothing about it, the work it does nor the precise definition of 'Junior Developer' within that organization. Whatever any of us write here could easily be misunderstood/misinterpreted by the OP and therefore cause difficulties in the interview process. It is not a cop-out at all. The OP's company obviously had sufficient faith in their abilities to promote them to that position and they should therefore have the same belief in their own abilities. In any event, they should be discussing this with their colleagues/HR if they have any doubts. If it had been a case where the OP was starting a new company and therefore had no colleagues in addition to little experience in this area, then it might be more appropriate to ask in a forum like this.
Mel Padden wrote:
and I know you're a respected member
Not necessarily true. Longevity and verbosity bring 'reputation' points which does not have to imply respect. :-D
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.
Henry Minute wrote:
My point was that it's the company the OP works for. We know nothing about it, the work it does nor the precise definition of 'Junior Developer' within that organization.
Fair enough point, but Junior Developer, in the context of a .NET forum, implies a fairly narrow band of credible knowledge...
Henry Minute wrote:
It is not a cop-out at all. The OP's company obviously had sufficient faith in their abilities to promote them to that position and they should therefore have the same belief in their own abilities. In any event, they should be discussing this with their colleagues/HR if they have any doubts.
Should be, in a perfect world, but we've all been in a place where we're expected to know something, we're eager to please, and we're anxious about our abilities and we don't want to look like a novice.
Henry Minute wrote:
Not necessarily true. Longevity and verbosity bring 'reputation' points which does not have to imply respect. :-D
Well I for one respect your reasoned counter-argument.
Smokie, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules. www.geticeberg.com http://melpadden.wordpress.com
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TBH it depends on who's wearing the briefs. If it was Salma Hayek I would hope it went on for some time.
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
The intent of the humor wasn't in regards to who was wearing the briefs. brief, short - a fight with a brief would be shorter... Humor loses a lot of its zing when it has to be explained.
".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 -
I have recently been promoted to a managing position in my company, and next week I'll have to conduct my first interview, which will be for a junior C#/.NET developer position. I would like to ask you guys what kind of questions you think are important to ask someone applying for this job, and the basic knowledges you think the candidates should have. Thanks in advance for your help.
Make sure the candidate walks the walk and does not only talk the talk. IOW give him a small assignment to work on. In our company this was creating a small form that reads in a txt file and shows it in a textbox. Each other character needed to be converted to uppercase. A progressbar and a label indicating how long the convertion took was mandatory. test duration was about 30 minutes (give them time to finish up) and we asked some questions afterwards like how could you speed up things. Do you know this and this object. Where would you look for info if i gave you this problem, etc... All this, of course, besides the fact they have the right attitude for your team. We refused people who aced the test because of this. hope this helps.
V.
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
You really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer are you?
Surely, he was joking?
Unlikely given his previous form.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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Make sure the candidate walks the walk and does not only talk the talk. IOW give him a small assignment to work on. In our company this was creating a small form that reads in a txt file and shows it in a textbox. Each other character needed to be converted to uppercase. A progressbar and a label indicating how long the convertion took was mandatory. test duration was about 30 minutes (give them time to finish up) and we asked some questions afterwards like how could you speed up things. Do you know this and this object. Where would you look for info if i gave you this problem, etc... All this, of course, besides the fact they have the right attitude for your team. We refused people who aced the test because of this. hope this helps.
V.
A progressbar? How big was the file? Here's an even better idea. Provide a program 9along the same lines) that's already written, but is missing the critical method that changes the data's case, and ask the candidate to fill in the missing function. The test here is three-fold. 0) Can he correctly implement the function (illustrates coding skill) 1) Does his coding style fit in the existing code tyle of the application (indenting, variable names, that kind of thing) 2) Did he comment his code?
".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
