Really weird programming interview

[DaveJ]

Awhile back I snuck away from my job to go out for an interview. Yeah, I'm non-faithful, sneaking behind my employer's back.

So after over a year, the weirdness of this interview is still hounding me.

I've LOVED programming computers ever since I was 16. It's all I've ever wanted to do. And I've done it pretty much ever day since those days of being a nerd in my parent's basement, when all the other kids were partying.

This is the weird question the guy asked: "How do you initialize a variable in Visual Basic?" (the answer is Dim x - It would be the equivalent of asking someone if they know how to turn on a light switch) It is easiest question one could possibly ask. The only way someone would ask such a question would be to weed out people who know absolutely nothing about programming. I would have had to have never programmed EVER to get that question wrong. Why would he ask such a question? Anyway, I was so nervous got it wrong. I also did not get the job. To this day, I wonder if that guy actually thinks I totally lied about being a programmer. Is it my imagination that I've been programming every day for most my life? Would someone really expect a nonprogrammer to interview for a job as a programmer, and fabricate decades of programming experience?

I'm sure there are other reasons I didn't get the job. I'm sure they didn't like me. (I'm just a bad person in general and deserve whatever badness comes my way)

But still, what a stupid question. I just can't get over it.

[raccoon]

1. I wonder if they already had a person selected for the job, and were just going

through the motions of interviewing X number of people to satisfy legal requirements.

That happened to me, more than once.

See: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=362x884

I feel your pain. I DESPISE interviewing. :hi:

[DaveJ]

2. I have a few theories...

I think there was some miscommunication somewhere. A few of my theories are:

1) The job was advertised as a programming job, and I thought I'd be working with a team. When I got there I found out that the other programmers were in India. As the U.S. corporate office guy, it seemed more like a management position rather than a programmer position. I have no desire to manage people, especially remotely.
2) I was sent by a recruiter. Although I spoke to them a couple times on the phone before the interview, perhaps the recruiter was overzealous about sending me, and as a result they felt rushed and pressured.
3) They just didn't like me. I think I was a little older than them, I use more advanced technical tools that they did not comprehend, and I was just not similar to them in a number of ways.

Oh well I don't really care I didn't get the job. But their behavior just befuddles me to this day. And they never contacted me afterwards. I actually took a day off my regular job for this. Horrible inconsiderate unprofessional people. No biggie though. I ended up getting a raise at my regular job when I told them about it.

From now on, I will focus on my technical BLOG in order to present myself to potential future employers. They should get a 90% impression of what I'm like that way first.

[elleng]

3. Glad you got a raise. Sounds like recruiter snafu + mis-communication,

Sorry

[DaveJ]

4. Thanks! I still need another job though...

Even after the raise, I'm making the very bottom of the pay range for my position compared to others. The only way to get ahead might be to wait for people to retire and move up, but even then I would not be doing what I want to do. It seems that for political reasons I can't make more than management at this small company.

My wife are thinking about having a kids but we really cannot afford it.

I just read today that the S&P 500 companies have 1.12 Trillion dollars saved up in cash! That is enough to pay 1 million people over 1 million dollars each!

It's not as if companies can't afford to hire.

[elleng]

5. Not at all, most big companies can afford to hire; they've got huge warchests.

Its the smalls who have problems, w bank loans among other things.

Good luck.

[TBA]

6. I feel your pain

Programming interviews suck big time. I know of no other profession where the interview is basically an oral exam. And the topic is so broad. Interviews today seem like a combination of a fraternity hazing (make 'em squirm) and a techno geek pissing contest.

I have had your experience. I had not interviewed in many years and my first time out I was humiliated. I was not prepared to be quizzed and I am sure they thought I was dumb as a stump. In reality, I just froze mentally.

Even knowing what I face, sometimes I am not quite sure what I am being asked. In reality, programming is a solitary endevor. I do best when it is quiet and I can think. I don't often know the full solution when I begin, but as I work with the code a solution emerges. I don't think I am alone when I say that a good programmer may not be the best at answering rapid-fire interview questions. And I submit... those who may be very good at the interview may not be the best programmers.

I seem to do best when the interview is "normal" and they assess my skills via a written exam.

BTW: I interviewed yesterday and the adverserial atmosphere left me wondering if I want to work with those assholes even if I am offered the job.

[DaveJ]

7. You must have gotten a job by now

Sorry for the long delay, I just noticed your reply. I totally agree with the sentiment in your last sentence (all of it really but the last sentence is particularly interesting to me).

The reason I posted earlier was not really my frustration with interviewing, or job hunting, but my frustration about people who are promoted to lofty positions lofty enough to presume to judge others, when in fact they themselves probably are lacking talent.

There is a paradigm shift going on now, where technology companies are judged based on the number of programmers they attract. Right now RIM is being criticized for not attracting enough developers for their phone. People who make progress happen (programmers) are in control.

Ok, I'm going to act arrogant as hell here, and state that I am tired of employers who know nothing about technological development, ie "progress", behaving as though they are lofty. And that goes for 'pretenders' too, people who pretend to be talented at technology, but who are really in it just for the money, and hire others to do all the actual work. Interestingly, I also am anti-arrogant too which creates a conundrum for me.

I would love to work with more skilled people, who are comfortable enough with their talent that they can hire someone, mentor them, and not feel threatened. Unfortunately in most cases, people are uncomfortable hiring someone who is more skilled than they are. And they never ever want to teach anyone anything because then they would be frightened of becoming obsolete themselves (or it just ends up that way). I have often taught others my knowledge, no fear of repercussions, and it has never resulted in less job security for me.

But unfortunately when people are talented, the nontalented either feel threatened or want to make them pawns in office politics, with regard to who gets to control us. Most people are not really in it for the benefit of the company but for themselves only. I hope this changes.

[TBA]

9. Thanks for your response

Yes I found a job... and actually I start a new (and hopefully better) job Monday. New development, new team... all the stuff I like.

Just so ya know, I am not the stereotypical tecknogeek - I am a grandmother.

And yes I have helped many others as I used to teach programming at an adult technical training center (think Community College but more intense).

I understand your frustration. I've always said there seems to be an antisocial (or maybe more kindly - socially awkward) gene associated with the geek gene.

But I will say that you are not alone. During my brief stay at my last company and also while interviewing for the new, the importance of sharing knowledge and mentoring have been emphasized so the problem is recognized.

As for the pretenders, alas they will be with us always.

I will share a personal dream... I want to teach again. I may have the opportunity at this new job as the owner of the company is interested in developing his own talent... offering what is basically a base pay apprenticeship job to promising individuals. Yea, he may be inspired by the prospect of saving a few bucks but I think the opportunity could be life changing for a few lucky people. And I'll get to teach on top of meeting my own production deadlines, of course. I'm planning on a busy year but hopefully a rewarding one.

Peace,
TBA aka... The Code Ho ;-)

[elleng]

10. Just happened upon this thread. GREAT NEWS all around!

'Break a leg!'
:hi:

[Kennah]

8. My apologies for the dumb question

Dim x As String = "Fred"

Dim x As String
x = "Fred"

Dim might or might not initialize the variable, I thought.