Every Developer Must Know!
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Just had an interview over the phone to test my C# knowledge, plus general IQ, and for the latter I was asked the following unusual question: The metallic sewage lids that sit on public roads - provide three reasons why they are round-shaped. At first, I couldn't believe I was asked something like this, though I did answer in the end :) Leave it for you guys to torture yourself. Enjoy ;) And what was your most unusual question during an interview as a software developer?
Not having looked at the other posts here are my answers. #1 Mettallic sewage lids are very heavy so making them round means that one does not need to carry them, one can roll them along the road. #2 Being round they do not need to be lined up in any particular position when they are placed over the hole in the ground. #3 Being round they are structurally stronger when a heavy vehicle passes over them.
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
― Christopher Hitchens
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If I ever win the lottery I'm going to go to job interviews just to say the sorts of things that we all want to say - and then walk out. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Because manholes are round. Wanna see mine? Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Round? I always thought they were flat. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: To make them easier to steal. Ya can wheel 'em up a tiny ramp right onto the back of your truck. Ask me how I know. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Apple has a patent on squares. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Opps, I thought this was an interview for a programming job. My mistake. By the way, if your road crew is looking for some guy to hold the "Slow" sign I've got a retarded brother who would be a perfect fit. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: I'm leaving now. I'm going to go find the guy currently interviewing for a job on a road crew... the guy who was just asked a question about recursion... and we are going to go have drinks and talk about dopey interview questions.
I see we've found the resident manhole cover hater :-D
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
I see we've found the resident manhole cover hater :-D
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
Stupid, stupid questions that tell more about the (elephanting smart-arse) person asking than answering. I know they are supposed to be about how you get to the answer rather than the answer itself but I'd rather ask 'Tell me about a project you were involved in that really excited you' and see how enthusiastic they become. That'll tell you far more than an inane question that you may already happen to know the answer to. :mad:
"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
Well, it shows you who's going to be an ass about being asked a question in an interview. I wouldn't hire anybody who got that upset about an innocuous (but pointless) question. Customers will ask those all the time, and if you can't stop yourself from rolling your eyes or cursing out the customer for being stupid, then I think that's useful to know.
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Well, it shows you who's going to be an ass about being asked a question in an interview. I wouldn't hire anybody who got that upset about an innocuous (but pointless) question. Customers will ask those all the time, and if you can't stop yourself from rolling your eyes or cursing out the customer for being stupid, then I think that's useful to know.
Wjousts wrote:
Well, it shows you who's going to be an ass about being asked a question in an interview.
Why would you be an ass about it? There are other ways to deal with this nonsense that preclude being rude. For instance, you could just answer it politely and move on and then decline the job offer. I simply contend that is a dumb question in the first place!
"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
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If I ever win the lottery I'm going to go to job interviews just to say the sorts of things that we all want to say - and then walk out. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Because manholes are round. Wanna see mine? Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Round? I always thought they were flat. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: To make them easier to steal. Ya can wheel 'em up a tiny ramp right onto the back of your truck. Ask me how I know. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Apple has a patent on squares. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: Opps, I thought this was an interview for a programming job. My mistake. By the way, if your road crew is looking for some guy to hold the "Slow" sign I've got a retarded brother who would be a perfect fit. Question: Why are manhole covers round? Answer: I'm leaving now. I'm going to go find the guy currently interviewing for a job on a road crew... the guy who was just asked a question about recursion... and we are going to go have drinks and talk about dopey interview questions.
MehGerbil wrote:
Answer: I'm leaving now. I'm going to go find the guy currently interviewing for a job on a road crew... the guy who was just asked a question about recursion... and we are going to go have drinks and talk about dopey interview questions.
:thumbsup:
"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
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Just had an interview over the phone to test my C# knowledge, plus general IQ, and for the latter I was asked the following unusual question: The metallic sewage lids that sit on public roads - provide three reasons why they are round-shaped. At first, I couldn't believe I was asked something like this, though I did answer in the end :) Leave it for you guys to torture yourself. Enjoy ;) And what was your most unusual question during an interview as a software developer?
unusual question: "what kind of ice cream do you like?" through me off as I was totaly in the zone for IT techy programmy questions. My FAVOURITE question was for an IT support position (tier 3). Was about a login issue that they said they've "experienced", and I ratted off everything known to man as well as "cheats" for troubleshooting the issue. After they said "that sounds good" I then asked; " So may I ask, how did it get resolved, or was the issue resolveable" with that hint of Eger "pass me the rubix cube I want to play". I did get the job :)
///////////////// -Negative, I am a meat popsicle.
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Just had an interview over the phone to test my C# knowledge, plus general IQ, and for the latter I was asked the following unusual question: The metallic sewage lids that sit on public roads - provide three reasons why they are round-shaped. At first, I couldn't believe I was asked something like this, though I did answer in the end :) Leave it for you guys to torture yourself. Enjoy ;) And what was your most unusual question during an interview as a software developer?
My first guess would be that the large-scale availability of large-bore pre-cast concrete pipes, to create the "descent" into the whatever provides cost savings compared to square or rectangular ones (I have no idea if square or rectangular pre-cast concrete hollow whatevers are available). best, Bill
"The greatest mystery is not that we have been flung at random between the profusion of matter and of the stars, but that within this prison we can draw from ourselves images powerful enough to deny our nothingness." Andre Malraux
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#1 a circle is the one easily made shape that cannot fall through its own hole. #2 structurally stronger. #3 brain fart and cannot come up with another one.
Common sense is not a gift it's a curse. Those of us who have it have to deal with those that don't.... Be careful which toes you step on today, they might be connected to the foot that kicks your butt tomorrow. You can't scare me, I have children.
gavindon wrote:
#1 a circle is the one easily made shape that cannot fall through its own hole.
There's also the equilateral triangle.
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Well, it shows you who's going to be an ass about being asked a question in an interview. I wouldn't hire anybody who got that upset about an innocuous (but pointless) question. Customers will ask those all the time, and if you can't stop yourself from rolling your eyes or cursing out the customer for being stupid, then I think that's useful to know.
Wjousts wrote:
I wouldn't hire anybody who got that upset about an innocuous (but pointless) question. Customers will ask those all the time, and if you can't stop yourself from rolling your eyes or cursing out the customer for being stupid, then I think that's useful to know.
What kind of place do you work where you hire a lot of developers that talk to customers? And where the developer is the only person talking to them and perhaps the first person? Normal shops with more than a couple developers are not going to be as productive if they don't hire someone, not a developer, to talk to customers. Professional services groups are of course different however then a PRIMARY skill is customer communications, and of course then one should interview with that in mind. And there are other more sensible ways to do that than asking ridiculous questions because despite the fact that some customers might ask ridiculous questions most will not. And so it would certainly be much more important to have a person that can effectively deal with the entire work load versus hiring someone whose hand holding talents might be best server is a position that has nothing to do with development.