Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Spot the Bug and Interviews Gone Wrong
Spot the (Java) Bug:
private final static long THIRTY_DAYS_IN_MILLISECONDS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
...
final Date today = new Date();
final Date thirtyDaysHence = new Date(today.getTime() + THIRTY_DAYS_IN_MILLISECONDS);
Sheesh.
I promise that if I ever ask someone to spot this bug in an interview, they can gather their resume, code samples, and references up and walk out without another word.
More about interviews gone wrong: Nah'mean? and Other Interview Stories
Where does one begin with those stories? Obviously, interviewing and recruiting is a two-way process. If the interviewers are superficial, you can bet the company will be superficial. Is that what you want?
On the other hand, some people have an idea of propriety that does not strongly correlate with their fitness as employers. In other words, they might expect you to dress conservatively and be polite for an interview, but that doesn't mean they won't be great people to work with/for.
The whole dress code and manners thing boils down to something quite simple: when meeting new people in a business context, your dress and mannerisms should not call attention to themselves. This works both ways: I own custom tailored suits and a full set of 'tails', but few of my software development colleagues have ever seen them :-)
I'm not advocating some sort of herd mentality. I'm suggesting that you want your accomplishments and potential to stand out. I'm all for making a huge personal impression, but let it be about your talent, not your gear.
Think of your clothes and manners as a windowpane. Sure, you can present some interesting stained glass. But won't that obscure all the interesting things about you?
p.s. Reg blows an interview
private final static long THIRTY_DAYS_IN_MILLISECONDS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
...
final Date today = new Date();
final Date thirtyDaysHence = new Date(today.getTime() + THIRTY_DAYS_IN_MILLISECONDS);
Sheesh.
I promise that if I ever ask someone to spot this bug in an interview, they can gather their resume, code samples, and references up and walk out without another word.
More about interviews gone wrong: Nah'mean? and Other Interview Stories
Where does one begin with those stories? Obviously, interviewing and recruiting is a two-way process. If the interviewers are superficial, you can bet the company will be superficial. Is that what you want?
On the other hand, some people have an idea of propriety that does not strongly correlate with their fitness as employers. In other words, they might expect you to dress conservatively and be polite for an interview, but that doesn't mean they won't be great people to work with/for.
The whole dress code and manners thing boils down to something quite simple: when meeting new people in a business context, your dress and mannerisms should not call attention to themselves. This works both ways: I own custom tailored suits and a full set of 'tails', but few of my software development colleagues have ever seen them :-)
I'm not advocating some sort of herd mentality. I'm suggesting that you want your accomplishments and potential to stand out. I'm all for making a huge personal impression, but let it be about your talent, not your gear.
Think of your clothes and manners as a windowpane. Sure, you can present some interesting stained glass. But won't that obscure all the interesting things about you?
p.s. Reg blows an interview
Labels: jobs
