5 ms·

Interviews should consist almost entirely of this dynamic: a conversation, a dialogue, an exploration, of a number of topics, processes and attitudes. Oh, and b

by Jare 5y ago

Interviews should consist almost entirely of this dynamic: a conversation, a dialogue, an exploration, of a number of topics, processes and attitudes. Oh, and both ways of course! If you're interviewing for senior position and you don't have anything to ask the interviewer, you're putting a huge red flag on your head (if you've already asked everything in previous interviews, just bring up something in the answers that you found interesting.

imiric 5y ago
I've seen this mentioned in past discussions, and this is definitely the way to do interviews. Show the candidate a piece of code and let them review it, something they'll actually be doing frequently. You'll get an insight into their understanding of the code and how they communicate improvements. For a follow-up/bonus round ask them to suggest changes and fix it. A candidate that does this unprompted and well is a positive signal in and of itself. No stressful whiteboarding and trivia questions. Just a relaxed conversation with their peers that they'd regularly have during work.
lmilcin 5y ago
Well... I don't think it is on the interviewee to do this (ie start a discussion). A lot of interviewing advice tells candidates to only speak when they are spoken to and to only answer the questions they are given. It is also a cultural thing, in some cultures candidates will absolutely not volunteer any information on the interview. I can't really fault a candidate for doing that. On the other hand I can create opportunities for discussion, especially when my interests or expertise and the interests or expertise of the candidate intersect.
- walshemj 5y ago
  If I had an interviewer try that on me id hang up.
  - lmilcin 5y ago
    Try what?
    - walshemj 5y ago
      The speak until spoken shit some one mentioned.
      - lmilcin 5y ago
        I mentioned it. If you red the post carefully enough you would notice I meant this as advice you can read on the Internet. Not something you would ever hear from me and especially on the interview.
- yoz-y 5y ago
  Out of context that advice seems more apt for police interrogation.
  - lmilcin 5y ago
    No, not really. Advice for police interrogation is: never talk to the police. If you don't know why, you must watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE Also, I never said this is my advice. In general I like to volunteer information during interview when I am the candidate. I think it lets me control the situation a little bit better and move to ground that I have much more expertise in. I am just saying that I can't fault candidate for not doing this.
- Jare 5y ago
  > I don't think it is on the interviewee to do this (ie start a discussion) Sorry I probably didn't explain myself - I mentioned it goes both ways: the discussion should be encouraged by the interviewer (vs "here's a problem I'll check my phone while you whiteboard it"), but the candidate should also seek to do the same - especially if they are senior and good, I expect them to interview me/us. However it's true that it's on the interview to establish an atmosphere where the candidate can be comfortable doing that. I start all my interviews emphasizing this as well as I can, and lead the candidate into questions with stuff like "is there something you would like to know about how we do X here?"

by Jare 5y ago

imiric 5y ago

I've seen this mentioned in past discussions, and this is definitely the way to do interviews. Show the candidate a piece of code and let them review it, something they'll actually be doing frequently. You'll get an insight into their understanding of the code and how they communicate improvements. For a follow-up/bonus round ask them to suggest changes and fix it. A candidate that does this unprompted and well is a positive signal in and of itself. No stressful whiteboarding and trivia questions. Just a relaxed conversation with their peers that they'd regularly have during work.

lmilcin 5y ago

Well... I don't think it is on the interviewee to do this (ie start a discussion). A lot of interviewing advice tells candidates to only speak when they are spoken to and to only answer the questions they are given. It is also a cultural thing, in some cultures candidates will absolutely not volunteer any information on the interview. I can't really fault a candidate for doing that. On the other hand I can create opportunities for discussion, especially when my interests or expertise and the interests or expertise of the candidate intersect.

walshemj 5y ago
If I had an interviewer try that on me id hang up.
- lmilcin 5y ago
  Try what?
  - walshemj 5y ago
    The speak until spoken shit some one mentioned.
    - lmilcin 5y ago
      I mentioned it. If you red the post carefully enough you would notice I meant this as advice you can read on the Internet. Not something you would ever hear from me and especially on the interview.
yoz-y 5y ago
Out of context that advice seems more apt for police interrogation.
- lmilcin 5y ago
  No, not really. Advice for police interrogation is: never talk to the police. If you don't know why, you must watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE Also, I never said this is my advice. In general I like to volunteer information during interview when I am the candidate. I think it lets me control the situation a little bit better and move to ground that I have much more expertise in. I am just saying that I can't fault candidate for not doing this.
Jare 5y ago
> I don't think it is on the interviewee to do this (ie start a discussion) Sorry I probably didn't explain myself - I mentioned it goes both ways: the discussion should be encouraged by the interviewer (vs "here's a problem I'll check my phone while you whiteboard it"), but the candidate should also seek to do the same - especially if they are senior and good, I expect them to interview me/us. However it's true that it's on the interview to establish an atmosphere where the candidate can be comfortable doing that. I start all my interviews emphasizing this as well as I can, and lead the candidate into questions with stuff like "is there something you would like to know about how we do X here?"