3 ms·

That wouldn't work at any company I've worked for, at all. It can often take a couple of days to get completely physically set up (desk, workstation, chair, lap

by jsharpe 16y ago

That wouldn't work at any company I've worked for, at all. It can often take a couple of days to get completely physically set up (desk, workstation, chair, laptop, etc), and up to 2 to 4 weeks to really get your environment completely set up so you're ready for real work (including figuring out how stuff works, and reading code and stuff). I don't think 1 week is really enough to do anything important. For a good candidate, anyway. I'm sure a bad candidate can find lots of stuff to screw up in 1 week, especially if they're trying to "impress".

photon_off 16y ago
Two things about the latency period you mention. First, it can be mitigated, and second, it's going to happen regardless. I think that physical essentials such as desk, workstation, etc, should be taken care of already. A smart company would have these items available in the chance that an amazing candidate could start immediately. It's a relatively small overhead cost on things that are going to eventually be required. With exception to the computer, the value of the items won't degrade with time so you might as well purchase them sooner than later. I do agree that it may take some time for even a good candidate to become productive member. However, this period of time is going to happen no matter what. By having the candidate on as a consultant at first, you at least retain the option of not hiring him fulltime... which would be much a cleaner than hiring him, then firing him shortly after or dealing with a dud employee. It's basically a "try before you buy" type of deal. No matter what car you're going to buy, it's going to take you some time to get used to it. Does that mean you shouldn't test drive them? As it stands now, the "test drive" is supposedly the interview. To me, it makes more sense to have a longer "risk free" test drive period, especially when you're going to be investing a lot into something.
- drcobg 16y ago
  "However, this period of time is going to happen no matter what." Huh? Does your company hire pretty much everyone they interview?
  - photon_off 16y ago
    No, but if somebody gets hired there is going to be a ramp-up period anyway.

by jsharpe 16y ago

photon_off 16y ago

Two things about the latency period you mention. First, it can be mitigated, and second, it's going to happen regardless. I think that physical essentials such as desk, workstation, etc, should be taken care of already. A smart company would have these items available in the chance that an amazing candidate could start immediately. It's a relatively small overhead cost on things that are going to eventually be required. With exception to the computer, the value of the items won't degrade with time so you might as well purchase them sooner than later. I do agree that it may take some time for even a good candidate to become productive member. However, this period of time is going to happen no matter what. By having the candidate on as a consultant at first, you at least retain the option of not hiring him fulltime... which would be much a cleaner than hiring him, then firing him shortly after or dealing with a dud employee. It's basically a "try before you buy" type of deal. No matter what car you're going to buy, it's going to take you some time to get used to it. Does that mean you shouldn't test drive them? As it stands now, the "test drive" is supposedly the interview. To me, it makes more sense to have a longer "risk free" test drive period, especially when you're going to be investing a lot into something.

drcobg 16y ago
"However, this period of time is going to happen no matter what." Huh? Does your company hire pretty much everyone they interview?
- photon_off 16y ago
  No, but if somebody gets hired there is going to be a ramp-up period anyway.