Reply to: BSkyB, agent wants me to do a "problem solving" test BEFORE any interview

[jmo21]

I had to do a presentation of
my work and business approach for my present client.

The agent sent through a list of requirements which was laughable. They mixed terminology and stated something so wrong about the tool they are using I told the agent.

During the presentation, I did a slide on what they asked for and how it actually works. I the. Challenged them on their requirement and recommendation, showing them why it wouldn't work and so their interview requirement was wrong.

They thanked me for the
clarification and I started today.

All part of the test I guess, but well done!

[MarillionFan]

I had to do a presentation of
my work and business approach for my present client.

The agent sent through a list of requirements which was laughable. They mixed terminology and stated something so wrong about the tool they are using I told the agent.

During the presentation, I did a slide on what they asked for and how it actually works. I the. Challenged them on their requirement and recommendation, showing them why it wouldn't work and so their interview requirement was wrong.

They thanked me for the
clarification and I started today.

[SupremeSpod]

what do you actually talk to people ?

...for goodness sake.

I sit in a corner memorising Java statements input into my brain, in binary via two electrodes one taped to each arse cheek.

FTFY.

[nomadd]

I sit in a corner memorising Java statements.

Which is strange for a C# guy...

[SueEllen]

Depends what you do. If you're a hard core tech guy, you don't have to spend much time talking.
Actually, I lead a team without speaking to them...

Even the hard core tech people I know (OK they are the top specialists in their particular field) like talking to people.

Then again they have to do conferences and presentations.......

[d000hg]

Asbergers? Not for a programmer maybe, but a contractor who has to converse with other humans, it is.

Depends what you do. If you're a hard core tech guy, you don't have to spend much time talking.
Actually, I lead a team without speaking to them...

[BlasterBates]

what do you actually talk to people ?

...for goodness sake.

I sit in a corner memorising Java statements.

[kandr]

I don't mind talking to someone for 15 minutes if the conversation is interesting. I specifically objected to being forced to waffle about nothing and fill space where none ought to exist, which often occurs in those interviews where the interviewer clearly has little idea what it is I do and whether or not I can actually do it but feels obliged to fill a full hour anyway. It's usually a good sign of an environment I'm not going to enjoy working in, and probably more of a reflection on the interviewers social skills (i.e. ability to draw a conversation to a natural conclusion) than mine.

Ok Rainman.

[doodab]

I don't, but the fact someone will be willing to sit an 2 hour programming test, instead of talking to someone for 15 mins, is a clear sign.

I don't mind talking to someone for 15 minutes if the conversation is interesting. I specifically objected to being forced to waffle about nothing and fill space where none ought to exist, which often occurs in those interviews where the interviewer clearly has little idea what it is I do and whether or not I can actually do it but feels obliged to fill a full hour anyway. It's usually a good sign of an environment I'm not going to enjoy working in, and probably more of a reflection on the interviewers social skills (i.e. ability to draw a conversation to a natural conclusion) than mine.

[kandr]

I find it interesting that you interpret a preference for doing something one is good at and enjoys as a sign of mental illness.

I don't, but the fact someone will be willing to sit an 2 hour programming test, instead of talking to someone for 15 mins, is a clear sign.

[doodab]

Asbergers? Not for a programmer maybe, but a contractor who has to converse with other humans, it is.

I find it interesting that you interpret a preference for doing something one is good at and enjoys as a sign of mental illness.

[kandr]

You say that like it's a bad quality in a programmer.

Asbergers? Not for a programmer maybe, but a contractor who has to converse with other humans, it is.

[d000hg]

FTFY

You say that like it's a bad quality in a programmer.

[kandr]

I love tests. They are a cast iron chance to prove in a measurable way that I am better than the rest of the people being interviewed. I would much rather sit a hardcore two hour coding test than be forced to waffle about **** all for fifteen minutes. I guess that's because I have aspergers syndrome

FTFY

[doodab]

I love tests. They are a cast iron chance to prove in a measurable way that I am better than the rest of the people being interviewed. I would much rather sit a hardcore two hour coding test than be forced to waffle about **** all for fifteen minutes. I guess that's because I actually enjoy writing code

On the other side, I've interviewed for coders before, and used a brainbench test to weed out the hopeless (I sat it myself to make sure it was suitable). We had one guy who had a Comp Sci degree and was just finishing his PhD, he scored 4%. You would have expected 25% if he had just guessed every answer!