3 ms·

> "How many ping-pong balls can fit in a VW bus" is just about the worst question I've ever gotten. The point of questions like this is "Does this guy have any

by IvyMike 14y ago

> "How many ping-pong balls can fit in a VW bus" is just about the worst question I've ever gotten. The point of questions like this is "Does this guy have any common sense?" Some of my least favorite hires were people who were whip-sharp at the details of their chosen programming language, but then when hired, would go off and do crazy and impractical stuff with it. Whether or not the question accomplishes a good evaluation of someone's common sense is up for debate, but unless you're hiring drones, you do have to ask some questions that get a broader picture of the way the person thinks. (BTW, your "pair programming for the rest of the day" is a great way of getting that. But pair programming doesn't/wouldn't work at any place I've ever been, for a variety of reasons.)

columbo 14y ago
> The point of questions like this is "Does this guy have any common sense?" GROOOOOAAAAN Maybe twenty years ago, and maybe if you were the individual to think up the question. Honestly I'm so goddamned bored with these unoriginal blither-blather questions I consider them a strike against the interviewer and the company.
- IvyMike 14y ago
  I actually have never asked an estimation question, but I understand the motivation for asking this kind of question. I'm curious--what do you ask in interviews to get at a candidate's common sense? It's not very easy to do. Or do you think you don't need to assess common sense at all? Maybe it's not, but like I said, a lot of the hires I later regretted came down to something like that.
  - columbo 14y ago
    > Or do you think you don't need to assess common sense at all? shrug If we're talking developers... The ability to drive to the location on time, answer questions without going blank are good indicators of common sense for me. Extracurricular activities, anything from volunteering at an animal shelter, to making civil war models to home brewing beer, are huge in my book because they are a good indicator of a grounded individual. That mixed with some pair-programming should give more than enough information. YMMV.
MattRogish 14y ago
I think the "real world, open-book" problems have to be crafted well, but I think they give a good sense of "Common sense". They are set up that you can absolutely prematurely optimize or go down really crazy paths (and I've seen them happen). You don't need another developer to pair program to get that - essentially you set up a clean computer with their editor on it and your testing/interview environment, and they can hack away while you watch. But yes, if there's some way to get a candidate to pair program on actual, real code with real developers, it's invaluable. Just make sure they sign a contract stating they are giving you the rights to the code, and that they are adequately compensated for their time at some reasonable hourly rate.

by IvyMike 14y ago

columbo 14y ago

> The point of questions like this is "Does this guy have any common sense?" GROOOOOAAAAN Maybe twenty years ago, and maybe if you were the individual to think up the question. Honestly I'm so goddamned bored with these unoriginal blither-blather questions I consider them a strike against the interviewer and the company.

IvyMike 14y ago
I actually have never asked an estimation question, but I understand the motivation for asking this kind of question. I'm curious--what do you ask in interviews to get at a candidate's common sense? It's not very easy to do. Or do you think you don't need to assess common sense at all? Maybe it's not, but like I said, a lot of the hires I later regretted came down to something like that.
- columbo 14y ago
  > Or do you think you don't need to assess common sense at all? shrug If we're talking developers... The ability to drive to the location on time, answer questions without going blank are good indicators of common sense for me. Extracurricular activities, anything from volunteering at an animal shelter, to making civil war models to home brewing beer, are huge in my book because they are a good indicator of a grounded individual. That mixed with some pair-programming should give more than enough information. YMMV.

MattRogish 14y ago

I think the "real world, open-book" problems have to be crafted well, but I think they give a good sense of "Common sense". They are set up that you can absolutely prematurely optimize or go down really crazy paths (and I've seen them happen). You don't need another developer to pair program to get that - essentially you set up a clean computer with their editor on it and your testing/interview environment, and they can hack away while you watch. But yes, if there's some way to get a candidate to pair program on actual, real code with real developers, it's invaluable. Just make sure they sign a contract stating they are giving you the rights to the code, and that they are adequately compensated for their time at some reasonable hourly rate.