Reply to: Doing a Tecnical Test to Secure an Interview

[stek]

The bank?!

Oh yes, like it's 1964 man....

Fifth floor was office that was once The Ballroom, replete with desks, stage, shuttered stripped out bar and mirror-ball........

[FatLazyContractor]

I had a cracker once. I'd not normally bother but I was working at the Coop in M/cr so I was keen to get out....

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The bank?!

[stek]

Have you ever been interviewed by bobs? I suggest that you don't miss that once-a-life experience!

I had a cracker once. I'd not normally bother but I was working at the Coop in M/cr so I was keen to get out....

Role was in Sweden (I get a lot for there but never worked there apart from some dodgy stuff I did in early 80's so I speak a bit..) for HCL, tulipe rate but I thought I could push it up a bit, anyway...

Had about 7 bobs on speaker phone, all with the IBM AIX VIO manuals in front of them, quizzing me on every switch of iosbackup for an hour literally, in the end I had to say sorry, I've had enough, this just isn't worth it....

SEC Recruitment.....

[FatLazyContractor]

I've found that 90% of end clients use technical programming tests for dev roles. I'm surprised people are saying they'd never do them.. If I didn't I'd never work.

Yes, for permies. You are a contractor who is "meant" to be a specialist. Either the clients take a risk or they don't.

As far as taking those technical tests is concerned, it is purely a matter of personal choice with factors like warchest, etc etc helping the choice.

[kingcook]

You wouldn't get a plumber to fit a new toilet to prove he has the ability to fit a bath before giving him a job would you? But you would talk to him and possibly get recommendations.

You would if he was going to fit you 200+ baths and toilets across 50+ sites, and you were considering if it's worth paying him £100,000+.

[SussexSeagull]

If it is anything they can re-use in the real world decline or walk. If it is anything over a couple of hours then refuse.

That said, a few logical questions in interviews to see how you think (Microsoft are big on them) are quite fun!

[heyya99]

I've found that 90% of end clients use technical programming tests for dev roles. I'm surprised people are saying they'd never do them.. If I didn't I'd never work.

[FatLazyContractor]

I was talking to a bloke at my last client co & he was telling me that he interviewed an impeccably dressed Indian man for a role & he passed with flying colours so he gave him the job.

The following Monday arrives and the same suit presents itself in reception - though with a different Bob inside it.

Apparently they think that we think they all look the same. Or something....

Ah, the classic bait-and-switch scam ...

[Gumbo Robot]

^ This.

Don't give a hoot about their accent, but I find it funny when they get so pedantic in terms of basic concepts. They don't talk systems / solutions. They talk crappy fit-for-nothing text book rubbish.

I was talking to a bloke at my last client co & he was telling me that he interviewed an impeccably dressed Indian man for a role & he passed with flying colours so he gave him the job.

The following Monday arrives and the same suit presents itself in reception - though with a different Bob inside it.

Apparently they think that we think they all look the same. Or something....

[FatLazyContractor]

Have had a few where it's also been hard to stifle giggles as some argue with you about basic technical concepts/terminology as their knowledge is somewhat inferior.

^ This.

Don't give a hoot about their accent, but I find it funny when they get so pedantic in terms of basic concepts. They don't talk systems / solutions. They talk crappy fit-for-nothing text book rubbish.

[perplexed]

Have you ever been interviewed by bobs? I suggest that you don't miss that once-a-life experience!

Yes, I find it hard to resist pointing out the fact that with heavy accents I can't understand most of what is asked. I just tend to answer based upon the words I can actually make out. Based upon specs can usually have a good idea of what the questions are intended to be.

Have had a few where it's also been hard to stifle giggles as some argue with you about basic technical concepts/terminology as their knowledge is somewhat inferior.

[FatLazyContractor]

Must admit interviews that are long drawn out with loads of stupid tech questions are usually crap. Best interviews are short, get to know you type ones.

Have you ever been interviewed by bobs? I suggest that you don't miss that once-a-life experience!

[psychocandy]

Must admit interviews that are long drawn out with loads of stupid tech questions are usually crap. Best interviews are short, get to know you type ones.

[FatLazyContractor]

Life is too short for technical tests. Either they hire your services or they don't. It is a risk they take, like the ones we take with agencies.

I, personally, will hand the client a long rusted barge pole if I am asked to take a technical test.

Having said that it depends on the role and how you try to sell yourself.

[Batcher]

Techy questions are fine of course, and maybe a short written test at interview (30 mins or so). I would not entertain anything like the chess test above, or a test lasting several days.

Concerning online tests, I would probably decline now, after a bad experience with a client in Oxfordshire. They had an online test outsourced to some testing company, which I completed at home. Problem was the questions were obviously not written by a Unix expert, and were often ambiguous or naive, incorrect in themselves, with no right answer. At the end of the test I opened another tab in my browser and the site fed some rude text into the new tab accusing me of cheating (which I did not).

Unprofessional garbage the lot of it, and I fed that back to the agent (not using the word garbage).

I've never done an online test and would refuse something that took as long as that unless they paid me for my time.

I usually get a quick verbal test on a phone interview or written test in a face-to-face. One time I got on well straight away with the manager (I was asked if I liked curry & beer in the interview lol)but still had to do the techy bit. While I was writing, the techy guy went for coffees and the manager started rattling off the answers. Turns out the manager was living away from home during the week and was looking for a drinking buddy. I don't think I made a profit during those 6 months as it all went behind the bar.