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Interview Question

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  • L Lost User

    My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

    PooperPig - Coming Soon

    C Offline
    C Offline
    chriselst
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    HR should play no part in interviews. If you are recruiting people with a certain amount of experience then you can more or less assume they can do the job from looking at their CV, and confirm it with a quick informal chat. All that then matters is do you want them working with you, do they want to work with you. And of course your team. I recently had an interview where I was given a 5 page technical exam and half an hour to do it. I spent half an hour on my phone then left when they came back to mark it.

    Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.

    L 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • L Lost User

      My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

      PooperPig - Coming Soon

      N Offline
      N Offline
      Nagy Vilmos
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      _Maxxx_ wrote:

      ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table!

      I would have thought that that would be classed as *Normal for New Zealand*.

      veni bibi saltavi

      L 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • L Lost User

        My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

        PooperPig - Coming Soon

        G Offline
        G Offline
        GStrad
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        So many fails in one post (and they're not yours!) Interview is about exploring someones knowledge and whether they fit in the company / team - you can't script that. How the hell do HR think you are going to get a good fit for the team if the interviewee is not allowed to talk to them?

        L 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • L Lost User

          My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

          PooperPig - Coming Soon

          S Offline
          S Offline
          Simon_Whale
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          We never used to do the "meet the team" and some of the people we hired were horrible. One was a Morris dancing fan, who used to show pictures of his latest dances etc and wore sandals to work with white socks. another used to get annoyed when we used to take the lord name in vain. But since we started the this is the team and this is the project were working on we have had better success.

          Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians. Help end the violence EAT BACON

          L 1 Reply Last reply
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          • C chriselst

            HR should play no part in interviews. If you are recruiting people with a certain amount of experience then you can more or less assume they can do the job from looking at their CV, and confirm it with a quick informal chat. All that then matters is do you want them working with you, do they want to work with you. And of course your team. I recently had an interview where I was given a 5 page technical exam and half an hour to do it. I spent half an hour on my phone then left when they came back to mark it.

            Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.

            L Offline
            L Offline
            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            I did a similar thing when, after an interview that started late, turned into two interviews, then they asked me to stay and do one of them 'psych' test things - while they all went home as it was after 5:30pm I was told 'no test no job' So grabbed the paper, marked all the answers at random (multiple choice) and left 3 minutes later. The Psych results were the best they'd ever had- and I got the job. should have been a warning, though - it was a shit job. Left 3 months later.

            PooperPig - Coming Soon

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • S Simon_Whale

              We never used to do the "meet the team" and some of the people we hired were horrible. One was a Morris dancing fan, who used to show pictures of his latest dances etc and wore sandals to work with white socks. another used to get annoyed when we used to take the lord name in vain. But since we started the this is the team and this is the project were working on we have had better success.

              Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians. Help end the violence EAT BACON

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              Hey! There's nothing wrong with Morris Dancing * *of course there is - just posting that in case my HR dept. read this and insist on employing at least one lesbian dwarf Morris Dancer in the name of equality

              PooperPig - Coming Soon

              W 1 Reply Last reply
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              • L Lost User

                Tell them to fuck off, then get me in as the Interviewee.

                Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                I'd love to interview you with our HR department. Preferably during Wimbledon fortnight. HR: Where do you see yourself in three years? MM: How the Faaark would I know!? I'm not an elephanting psychic! HR: Right, well thanks. erm... What are your strengths and weaknesses? MM: Well, I can drink youse bastards under the table, any day of the faaarkin' week. Weaknesses? You callin' me a girly, love? HR: Ha ha.. ha. Erm. Well. I, erm. Can you tell me about the time you dealt with conflict? MM: There was this pooftah HR wanker asking stupid questions - punched 'im in the mouth... Hey! don't worry, love, I would't punch a girl... You *are* a girl, aren't you? with norgs like that I figured you must be - but with the 'tash it could go either way. HR:

                PooperPig - Coming Soon

                J 1 Reply Last reply
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                • N Nagy Vilmos

                  _Maxxx_ wrote:

                  ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table!

                  I would have thought that that would be classed as *Normal for New Zealand*.

                  veni bibi saltavi

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  New bloody Zealand? We're not employing bloody Kiwis, mate!

                  PooperPig - Coming Soon

                  N G 2 Replies Last reply
                  0
                  • G GStrad

                    So many fails in one post (and they're not yours!) Interview is about exploring someones knowledge and whether they fit in the company / team - you can't script that. How the hell do HR think you are going to get a good fit for the team if the interviewee is not allowed to talk to them?

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    GStrad wrote:

                    How the hell do HR think

                    I see your mistake

                    PooperPig - Coming Soon

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • L Lost User

                      My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

                      PooperPig - Coming Soon

                      A Offline
                      A Offline
                      Amarnath S
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      HR: Where do you see yourself in three years? Me: In your seat. VP/Senior GM: Where do you see yourself in five years? Me: <>

                      L C 2 Replies Last reply
                      0
                      • L Lost User

                        New bloody Zealand? We're not employing bloody Kiwis, mate!

                        PooperPig - Coming Soon

                        N Offline
                        N Offline
                        Nagy Vilmos
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        It's standard practice at GriffInc :laugh:

                        veni bibi saltavi

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • N Nagy Vilmos

                          It's standard practice at GriffInc :laugh:

                          veni bibi saltavi

                          L Offline
                          L Offline
                          Lost User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          I reckon the Griffter would be a good boss - just never, ever take in Lamb sandwiches - or fee him after midnight.

                          PooperPig - Coming Soon

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • A Amarnath S

                            HR: Where do you see yourself in three years? Me: In your seat. VP/Senior GM: Where do you see yourself in five years? Me: <>

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            You usually get down-voted by HR for answering that - it's a trite answer to a trite question. I usually answer something like 'doing this job'. as most companies don't *really* want you to be ambitious - they want someone to do this role for as long as possible.

                            PooperPig - Coming Soon

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • L Lost User

                              My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

                              PooperPig - Coming Soon

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              Rage
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              I am with MM on this one, I would tell them to fuck off.

                              Do not escape reality : improve reality !

                              L 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • A Amarnath S

                                HR: Where do you see yourself in three years? Me: In your seat. VP/Senior GM: Where do you see yourself in five years? Me: <>

                                C Offline
                                C Offline
                                chriselst
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                Quote:

                                Employer: So, Peter, where do you see yourself in five years? Peter [thinking]: Don't say, "Doing your wife." Don't say, "Doing your wife." Don't say, "Doing your wife." Peter: Doing your...[sees the employer's family picture] son?

                                Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • R Rage

                                  I am with MM on this one, I would tell them to fuck off.

                                  Do not escape reality : improve reality !

                                  L Offline
                                  L Offline
                                  Lost User
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #18

                                  Then you are both self-evidently independently wealthy.

                                  PooperPig - Coming Soon

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • L Lost User

                                    I'd love to interview you with our HR department. Preferably during Wimbledon fortnight. HR: Where do you see yourself in three years? MM: How the Faaark would I know!? I'm not an elephanting psychic! HR: Right, well thanks. erm... What are your strengths and weaknesses? MM: Well, I can drink youse bastards under the table, any day of the faaarkin' week. Weaknesses? You callin' me a girly, love? HR: Ha ha.. ha. Erm. Well. I, erm. Can you tell me about the time you dealt with conflict? MM: There was this pooftah HR wanker asking stupid questions - punched 'im in the mouth... Hey! don't worry, love, I would't punch a girl... You *are* a girl, aren't you? with norgs like that I figured you must be - but with the 'tash it could go either way. HR:

                                    PooperPig - Coming Soon

                                    J Offline
                                    J Offline
                                    Johnny J
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #19

                                    Hilarious! Just have one question, though: What the hell is

                                    _Maxxx_ wrote:

                                    'tash

                                    ???

                                    Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                                    Anonymous
                                    -----
                                    The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                                    Winston Churchill, 1944
                                    -----
                                    I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
                                    Me, all the time

                                    L C M 3 Replies Last reply
                                    0
                                    • J Johnny J

                                      Hilarious! Just have one question, though: What the hell is

                                      _Maxxx_ wrote:

                                      'tash

                                      ???

                                      Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                                      Anonymous
                                      -----
                                      The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                                      Winston Churchill, 1944
                                      -----
                                      I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
                                      Me, all the time

                                      L Offline
                                      L Offline
                                      Lost User
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #20

                                      Mustache

                                      PooperPig - Coming Soon

                                      J 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • L Lost User

                                        My usual interview technique is to have a chat with the interviewee, very informal. Explain the job to them, talk about what they've done and generally have what I believe is known as "a discussion" I am interviewing this week, and HR are telling me now that: They need to be in the interview. I have to ask a set of written-down questions "Where do you see yourself in 3 years" sort of stuff. I need to give them a 'positive view of the company' including an overview of the structure (who owns what etc. rather than who's who's boss) The person I am interviewing will report to me. It was suggested that, if I couldn't make it at the time the interview was booked, that was fine they'd interview without me. Has the world turned mad! We are looking for a Test Analyst because our current single Test Analyst is trying to test thr output from about 16 developers - which is an impossible task, obviously. So it was then suggested we could get a college leaver & the current Test Analyst could train them! Oh, yes, in her copious spare time! Yes; the world is indeed turned mad. The single most important factor for anyone working in my team is that they fit into the team. Sure they also need the tech skills but fitting in is most important. In a prev. company I used to do a 2nd 1/2 of the interview with the team - usually over coffee - where the prospective candidate (only the one's I thought would be a good fit) would chat to the team - who would tell them all about the job, the company, good bits and bad bits. It was very successful - everyone had buy in on new recruits, the new recruits had a better idea of what they were getting into - and it proved very successful. I suggested doing that in this company, and you'd have thought I'd suggested performing ritualistic disemboweling of a sheep on the boardroom table! "TALK!? to the TEAM?!" Not sure how much more I can take!

                                        PooperPig - Coming Soon

                                        W Offline
                                        W Offline
                                        W Balboos GHB
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #21

                                        Fool! Know you not that if things were done correctly than HR would be out being interviewed, themselves? As employees come and go they make work for HR to justify themselves at current (or even increased) staffing levels. As for you? Get with the program!

                                        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                        "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

                                        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • J Johnny J

                                          Hilarious! Just have one question, though: What the hell is

                                          _Maxxx_ wrote:

                                          'tash

                                          ???

                                          Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                                          Anonymous
                                          -----
                                          The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                                          Winston Churchill, 1944
                                          -----
                                          I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
                                          Me, all the time

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          chriselst
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #22

                                          Maxxx wrote:

                                          'tash

                                          I think you'd find one on a mouse

                                          Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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