Interviews

[Pino]

Ok, I have 2 interviews lined up for Junior Programming Positions.

My first is next week.

Anyways He has sent me through some information,

· Ideally experience of event based programming and awareness of UML
· Experience of development in a Windows environment and/or decision table based programming (ideally a subset of Filetab-D) essential
· Ideally knowledge of developing within an n-tier environment and therefore integrating a PC client with server side application components
· Communication skills – experience of communicating with internal clients and line management.

2 things, Filetab-D any ideas? Better do some research into that.

UML, any good information links?

Also this will be my first interview, any tips etc?

[thegreatone]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Modeling_Language

Good Luck Pino, and the best tip is to just be yourself

[Hack]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Modeling_Language

Good Luck Pino, and the best tip is to just be yourself

thegreatone beat me to both the UML Link and the advice.

The link I'm sure you could have found on your own, but the advice is priceless.

People experienced in interviewing job candidates can spot a Bull S'er a mile away. As thegreatone said, be yourself, and if you don't know the answer to a question, flat out tell them you don't know (and if you do get hit with a question that you don't know the answer to, jot it down, and when the interview is over, look it up. You might get hit with the same question in your next interview.)

Also, when they ask you (and they always do), if you have any questions, express an interest in them and their company. Find out what you can about the company before you go in, and prepare a question or two for them for this part of the interview.

[Pino]

Ok thats cool, thanks.

If an interviewer ask you what do you class as your weekness, what would be a responce I was asked this at a sorta interview for a part time job I have. I screwed it up.

Thanks

[Hack]

Ok. I'm not interviewing your for a job right now Pino.

This is just ole Hack here asking:

What would you say is your weakness?

[Jmacp]

i would say good looking girls and beer.

[Pino]

lol, this is serious stuff

I'd want to say somthing which doenst make me sound like a perfect person (i'm not i know) but not make me sound like a poor candidate!

[Hack]

You are going to sound like a poor candidate if you don't say something.

No one is going to believe you don't have a weakness. EVERYONE has a weakness.

Wanna know something else...by in large they don't care. They just want to see if you will answer the question honestly.

I would say in 75 to 80% of every interview I've ever been on (and I've been on about a zillion or so ) has asked that question.

Trust me dude...you don't want to sit there in your chair and not say something.

And, once again, if you come across as making something up for an answer, I'll betcha they will know it, and that will go over worse than anything you could say (unless of course, on weekends, you are an axe murderer).

[Pino]

hmm its a tough one but i know what you mean!

Thanks!

Any ideas about FileTab-D?

[Harsh Gupta]

all right here's another question related to Job Interviews, so it might help you if you prepare before. and i m posting it because even i suck at this one:

InterViewer - "Speak about yourself for atleat 5 mins" ( to them)
your response - (what topics should be covered for this)

[Hack]

Never heard of it, but here is what Google had to say (incidentially, Google returned 4, and only 4, hits on Filetab-D)

Filetab-D was a decision-tree language, from the UK's National Computing Center

The optimum word in that sentence is "was"....the brief blurb that I read gave the impression (although did not come out and state this) that it wasn't being used anymore.

[Hack]

InterViewer - "Speak about yourself for atleat 5 mins" ( to them)

I've always LOVED this because I can literally talk to a paper napkin for a hour. I always went over my five minutes and and just as I was hitting the five minute mark I was starting to get warmed up.

[Harsh Gupta]

but what about interviewees' response?? i generally mess up my HR interview, when they ask me "something about yourself", "positive abt you", "negative abt you" etc etc.

i generally start like introducing myself, about my graduation, my subjects of interest, then like "my aim is to be a good, knowledgable SW developer", then finally briefing about my family.

what else ??

[Pino]

hobbys!

[Hack]

but what about interviewees' response?? i generally mess up my HR interview, when they ask me "something about yourself", "positive abt you", "negative abt you" etc etc.

i generally start like introducing myself, about my graduation, my subjects of interest, then like "my aim is to be a good, knowledgable SW developer", then finally briefing about my family.

what else ??

Harsh, you should be able to talk for a hour just on your subjects of interest alone. What are they? How did you get started with them? What are you currently doing with them? What do you want/expect to do to get more involved with them? How often do you participate in them? How good are you at/in them? The list could go on and on.

[Harsh Gupta]

hobbys!

ahh yes, i forgot to mention it here, but i always forget to state all my hobbies.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Some hobbies shouldn't BE mentioned

This is also true about weaknesses. Since you can largely be certain that this question will be asked, think it over a bit. Since this is your first interview, you might be able to come up with something with a theme along the lines of lack of experience with XXX. This would show a few things, a willingness to learn, an understanding that you still have things to learn (some folks don't think they do), and a valid weakness.

Being fresh into the job market is a weakness in itself. The agency I work at hasn't hired more than a few full-time folks in their 20's in the eight years I've been here (I was 29 when I was hired). The reason is simply that we value experience in the field. Many people work here part-time for years waiting for a shot at a permanent spot. Lack of experience IS a weakness, but it can also be a virtue, because it can provide a valid pseudo-dodge to the question. From my own experience interviewing, I would tend to look favorably on somebody who showed an understanding of what areas they lack experience with, especially if they anticipated making up that deficit.

Oh yeah, and best of luck to you.

For some other suggestions, you might look in Chit-Chat for some of Wossy's interview threads.

[Pino]

Whohooo, I have another interview, somone who found my cv online

Internet and Programming position as a junior.

And somones trying to ring me but I missed the call, rang them back and they are unavalible at the moment, so that looks promising too

Wednesday now

[mendhak]

When mentioning hobbies, it's good to mention a hobby that isn't commonplace, such as cricket, tea and reading. For example, the phrase 'paranormal interests' has always stood out on my resume, and I've always been asked to speak about it. While they may or may not understand it, it's good to see that a person isn't just a bookworm or a monitor zombie, that they have something else going on besides work.

At the end of the interview, it's good to ask a question such as

"Is there any reason you feel that I cannot fulfil this position?"

It'll give you a good idea as to how they thought your interview went.

Go dressed up for the first interview. It could be the most laid back company of all, but show that you're serious by wearing a shirt and pants. I never wear that stuff, but I did just for first interviews.

[Pino]

When mentioning hobbies, it's good to mention a hobby that isn't commonplace, such as cricket, tea and reading. For example, the phrase 'paranormal interests' has always stood out on my resume, and I've always been asked to speak about it. While they may or may not understand it, it's good to see that a person isn't just a bookworm or a monitor zombie, that they have something else going on besides work.

At the end of the interview, it's good to ask a question such as

"Is there any reason you feel that I cannot fulfil this position?"

It'll give you a good idea as to how they thought your interview went.

Go dressed up for the first interview. It could be the most laid back company of all, but show that you're serious by wearing a shirt and pants. I never wear that stuff, but I did just for first interviews.

Thanks I really appriciate the advice, yea my suits ready.

Thanks again

[NoteMe]

Go dressed up for the first interview. It could be the most laid back company of all, but show that you're serious by wearing a shirt and pants. I never wear that stuff, but I did just for first interviews.

You just did because I made you do it...


BTW:

"Is there any reason you feel that I cannot fulfil this position?"

I like the idea, but doesn't it seem a bit hostile? Like attacking them before they have even said yes or now? I guess it all depends on how you say it though....

[Hack]

I like the idea, but doesn't it seem a bit hostile? Like attacking them before they have even said yes or now?

I agree with this, although I like the concept.

I think something more along the lines of: "Thank you for your time, and I feel as though I can fill this position."

[Harsh Gupta]

thank you all, this is helping me too!!

the idea of not-so-common hobby seems good. will update my resume soon.

[Pino]

Ok first interview done. Went alrite, the guy seemed more nervous than I did, not sure what will happen because its a while before I can start he was looking alrite up to then, I offered to come in on my free time though.

Anywasy this isnt the 'one' i was after more another option, this is PHP/mySQl job creating tracking systems etc.

Anyways was good experiance non the less have to see if I get a second interview in a few weeks.

Roll on friday

[Hack]

Were you asked to name your greatest strength and greatest weakness?

[Pino]

Nope he hardly asked me anything like that, the guy was very nervous he just asked me about some PHP questions and told me about the company I think I asked more questions than he did

[Hack]

Nope he hardly asked me anything like that, the guy was very nervous he just asked me about some PHP questions and told me about the company I think I asked more questions than he did

Doesn't sound like a management type. You probably got interviewed by a programmer. If you go back for a second one, then you will get the management guy.

[mendhak]

You just did because I made you do it...

That's right, but don't tell anyone here.

I like the idea, but doesn't it seem a bit hostile? Like attacking them before they have even said yes or now? I guess it all depends on how you say it though....

It's not hostile. You cannot worry about hostile and politeness in an interview or you'll just be another weakling. If you think about it, you've got nothing to lose by asking that question. It's only a method to gauge what HE thinks of your results, not the company.

[NoteMe]

But he will probably in the end up beeing the one telling the company if I am worth it or not, right? At least it has been like that for all my other jobs...



@Hack: In norway it is usualy 3-5 good sides by your self, then 3-5 bad sides. And it is always good to choose bad sides, that can also be a good side.

Like at some jobs you can say as a good side: "I am very carefull and strict (that didn't translate well into English..) with my work. I like to do my work propper"


Then as a bad side. You can say something like: "Since I am very carefull and strict, I might end up using a bit more time on some projects."

Now of course you wouldn't say this to a company that has new deadlines every day, and the company would go under every time someone missed a deadline. Then they will think you are a slacker....But if it is a sales job, using a lot of time with a costumer is just a nice thing...



- ØØ -

[mendhak]

Yep, he will. It's good to get feedback at the end of your interview. It's another sign of enthusiasm, let me put it that way.

[Pino]

Ok my interview for the job I really want was today, went really well. I emailed the gent who interviewed me to ask when I would hear about the position, he emailed me with some great feedback about the interview. So its looking good

Thanks for all the advice.

If anyone interested the company actually use there own development language written in vb.

[RobDog888]

Did you thank him for his time interviewing you? Its usually a courtesy as well.

Glad to hear it went well. I'm sure your chances are very good.

[Pino]

Thanks, yea i did I thanked both of them for there time on the way out

The company sounds really interesting, They have a new project being released(5 years in devlopment) around the time I can start, It looks really interesting, anyways my bit is done now have to wait and see

Thanks for all the info.

Pino

[RobDog888]

I believe there is a follow up time duration also. o if you havent herd from them in a week or two you can send an email for an update if the position has been filled or what.

[Hack]

Thanks, yea i did I thanked both of them for there time on the way out

The company sounds really interesting, They have a new project being released(5 years in devlopment) around the time I can start, It looks really interesting, anyways my bit is done now have to wait and see

Thanks for all the info.

Pino

Congratulations and good luck. Lets us know what the outcome is.

[Harsh Gupta]

i have one question please,

when they ask about greatest strengths and weaknesses, what should we avoid speaking about? few negative qualities we have but we should not tell them about them.

Thank you.

[RobDog888]

Well you need to express your answers according to that particular company. Yes, mentioning "some" negatives are ok as it shows you dont think your a know it all and hard to work with. Just need to be careful what negatives you tell them about. Dont tell them you cant work well with others or you have personal issues that may create a negative effect on your job. You can lye about certain things because if they find out later after hiring you , you could be fired.

[Hack]

Dont tell them you cant work well with others or you have personal issues that may create a negative effect on your job. You can lye about certain things because if they find out later after hiring you , you could be fired.

Words to live by.

I've always used the same one for each interview, and it is the truth.

I have a very bad habit of overthinking a problem or programming issue (and that has been evidenced by some of my posts.)

Member: "I need to add the numbers in two textboxs together and display the result in a third textbox."
Hack: "No, problem, just let me whip together a Public Function with three required parameters as Longs, and two optional parameters as Doubles, and you should be all set.
Member: "Ahhh, Hack...the numbers I need to add are integers and I only to do that on one form."
Hack: "Oh...why didn't you say so in the first place. In that case, you will only need one optional parameter instead of two."

A little melodramatic I admit, but not that far from the truth.

Pick something that is, in fact, an aspect of your profressionalism that you honestly feel you need to work on, but, isn't something that will immediately disqualify you. When I have told interviews about my tendency to overthink a problem, I've had interviewers sit back, roll their eyes, and say "Yeah, I understand that, me too."

[RobDog888]

Just seen I missed a "t". Should be "You cant lie about certain things..."

Yes, finding a common issue or such is a good way to get the interviewer to rember you and build some rappore with them.

[Pino]

Yaya, just had a phone call saying that they wnat me to come down for a job prieveiw on monday !!

boo-ya