Interviews

[MaryPoppins]

Anyway, the first two sailed through the technical questions, which was a bit awkward. I started to see why more obscure stuff gets included. It's actually quite difficult for the interviewer if all the answers are given quickly and easily!

Eh? Why? Interviews aren't just designed to catch people out.

I helped interview for my replacement before I went off to have baby, and was completely gobsmacked by how awful the candidates were.

It was brilliant.

One lady arrived 10 mins early, so the Prog Director went out to greet her. She was puffing and panting quite badly, having walked the 100 yards or so from another building. Seriously, the building was a two minute stroll.

We led her upstairs to an interview room (with her still puffing away), and I asked would she like a drink. She requested a tea and a water, cold please - with ice if possible(!)

She carried on puffing and panting like a bad porn star, clutching her chest as if close to a coronary. I bought the drinks back and exchanged bemused glances with Prog Director.

He asked, would she like a couple of minutes to compose herself? She said - oh yes, please - could you come back to me in 20 minutes?

I may have snorted aloud at this point, and explained that were fairly busy, had other candidates to interview, and were in a secure building so couldn't leave her alone.

She sweated and puffed her way through the excruciating interview, which we reduced to around 10 mins.

At the end, she was asked did she have any questions for us.

She appeared incredibly flustered and then proceeded to parrot two of my own interview questions back at me, before ending with "can you provide me with some feedback on how I did, and whether I will be offered the role?".

I've added this last question to my personal interview repertoire.

[shaunbhoy]

In Poland, I got involved in interviewing some of the candidates that were slowly being brought into the Project to take over from us expats, as we withdrew from the Network Rollout phase.
Some fairly clued-up people technically, as I recall. However, the best bit was when they reached the part about salaries, and the HR bint took the reins. Had to almost bite my lip when they meekly put forward their notional monthly hopes, only to be met with responses like "I'm not sure we can stretch to that!". The monthly figures they were quoting were less than my Daily rate!!

[MaryPoppins]

In Poland, I got involved in interviewing some of the candidates that were slowly being brought into the Project to take over from us expats, as we withdrew from the Network Rollout phase.
Some fairly clued-up people technically, as I recall. However, the best bit was when they reached the part about salaries, and the HR bint took the reins. Had to almost bite my lip when they meekly put forward their notional monthly hopes, only to be met with responses like "I'm not sure we can stretch to that!". The monthly figures they were quoting were less than my Daily rate!!

Humility eh

[shaunbhoy]

Humility eh

That's me!!!

[Doggy Styles]

I was working at a big multi-national three or four years ago, and with 20 minutes notice was asked to stand in for an interviewer who was off sick.

I thought the interview went quite well, but later when the company told the candidate he was unsuccessful he put in a complaint about age discrimination.

I wasn't asked again.