AirBaker
Pattern Altitude
Since I'm getting bored of my old interview questions, what questions do you ask potential candidates and why? 
Good Interview Questions
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gkainz
Final Approach
Non-technical questions I've been asked:
"What are the last two books you've read and what did you like and dislike about them?"
"Why do you want to work here?" (A friend of mine worked there and asked the same question, worded a little differently "Why the HELL would you want to work HERE?")
Then there's the Barbara Walters question - "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?" to which I would reply "If I were a tree, I wouldn't be here - I would be out in the forest, where all I would have to worry about is birds crapping in my limbs."
"What are the last two books you've read and what did you like and dislike about them?"
"Why do you want to work here?" (A friend of mine worked there and asked the same question, worded a little differently "Why the HELL would you want to work HERE?")
Then there's the Barbara Walters question - "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?" to which I would reply "If I were a tree, I wouldn't be here - I would be out in the forest, where all I would have to worry about is birds crapping in my limbs."
Ken Ibold
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Ken Ibold
How about:
If a Bonanza took off from Moline headed west into a 30 knot headwind and a Cherokee took off from Los Angeles with a left 10 knot crosswind, why the hell did Daley destroy Meigs?
If a Bonanza took off from Moline headed west into a 30 knot headwind and a Cherokee took off from Los Angeles with a left 10 knot crosswind, why the hell did Daley destroy Meigs?
tonycondon
Gastons CRO (Chief Dinner Reservation Officer)
thats a great one ken!Dave Krall CFII
Final Approach
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Dave Krall CFII SEL SES, Cmcl HELI
Ken Ibold said:
Compound Test Answer:
Because niether aircraft could get overhead to bomb him in time and, because skunks need something to do to self-justify their miserable lives.
"What is your strongest attribute? Describe a situation in which you used that attribute to solve a problem?"
Since I usually interview engineers I usually steer away from what they want to tell me about (geek stuff) and steer towards what I need (hands-on problem solving). If they keep talking in formulas and don't have a desire to learn what goes on at the manufacturing level, they're done.
Since I usually interview engineers I usually steer away from what they want to tell me about (geek stuff) and steer towards what I need (hands-on problem solving). If they keep talking in formulas and don't have a desire to learn what goes on at the manufacturing level, they're done.
AirBaker said:Since I'm getting bored of my old interview questions, what questions do you ask potential candidates and why?
"Would you have sex for internet porn?" Extra value if you have a hot secretary taking notes. That ought to put a spin on their day and job expectations.
BTW, what are you hiring for?
TMetzinger
Final Approach
I also interview engineers (computers and networks). I give them a sample problem (there are nine possible causes) and give them ten minutes to come up with at least three hypotheses and tests of those hypotheses.
The more hypotheses and the more creative they are the better. Then we walk through the tests and I can evaluate that the person really does know how to break down a possible big problem into little manageable ones.
More than one has asked "what's a hypothesis?", and got the reply, "Thanks for your time, but you clearly don't meet the minimum standards for this job".
One guy gave me six in ten minutes, and had them ordered from most likely to least likely. When I asked him why, he said "Because you might only have limited resources to solve the problem, so you want to get the best value from those resources". I hired him on the spot, not for the vacancy he applied for, but for the manager position of the unit.
In my opinion the biggest things I see lacking in candidates these days are:
Inability to communicate effectively in written or spoken English.
Inability to reason logically.
A disturbing tendency to believe that what they get from a Google search is "true", and a lack of desire to dig deeper for true understanding.
The more hypotheses and the more creative they are the better. Then we walk through the tests and I can evaluate that the person really does know how to break down a possible big problem into little manageable ones.
More than one has asked "what's a hypothesis?", and got the reply, "Thanks for your time, but you clearly don't meet the minimum standards for this job".
One guy gave me six in ten minutes, and had them ordered from most likely to least likely. When I asked him why, he said "Because you might only have limited resources to solve the problem, so you want to get the best value from those resources". I hired him on the spot, not for the vacancy he applied for, but for the manager position of the unit.
In my opinion the biggest things I see lacking in candidates these days are:
Inability to communicate effectively in written or spoken English.
Inability to reason logically.
A disturbing tendency to believe that what they get from a Google search is "true", and a lack of desire to dig deeper for true understanding.
TMetzinger said:
Can't argue with that, I see it all the time in the maritime sector as well. What really kinda annoys me is that when I get someone really good onboard (these are mate/capt candidates) as a mate, I'll only have them for a limited time because I am training them into a position that parallels mine to the greatest part, and the better they are, the shorter the time till I sign em off to bump up to their own boat. Occassionally, I get to bump their pay and keep them for a while, not often though.
JasonCT
Pattern Altitude
Depends the line of work, but Ken did have a good question.
Everskyward
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Everskyward
I like the Waiter Rule. But it might get a little expensive taking all your candidates out for lunch. 
Thers'a Dilbert:
"What is your greatest fault?"
"I work so hard I sometimes forget to eat and a few times have come close to starvation."
"What is your greatest fault?"
"I work so hard I sometimes forget to eat and a few times have come close to starvation."
AirBaker
Pattern Altitude
Henning said:
Ok, that one wins.
We're hiring for Project Managers and Windows guys right now.
TMetzinger said:
OK, I *think* I know what you meant to say; but this is so funny to me, I can't help but call you on it.
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
Everskyward said:I like the Waiter Rule. But it might get a little expensive taking all your candidates out for lunch.
Yeah, but then you can use the Salt Rule too.
I forget who the companies were (Disney? IBM?) but when hiring for a managerial position, they'll take you out for dinner. If you salt your food before you take a bite, you don't get hired.
Why? You made a decision (to salt the food) without having all available information (whether or not the food actually needed more salt).
I know what you mean about the logic thing. One thing I just notice again on conference calls is how some members can't isolate the risk or problems, like with the "7 layer" network model.TMetzinger said:
An example (I made up.)
"The power is unreliable." OK, then we'll switch to Linux servers. Later... Good! But BTW, what are we going to do if the power goes off?
A real one we just had: The files are named incorrectly on file share hosted on the current servers. We're replacing the servers with a different platform. Do you think we need to rename the files? I pointed out (several times) that was a separate issue.
A another real one: When a product gives what looks to your servers like raw disk, some (even decision makers) can't get their mind around that it doesn't matter if you mix the OS of the disk host and the client servers.
infotango
Line Up and Wait
My response: "I'm deathly afraid of clowns."Gerhardt said:
What a dumb dumb question.
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Velocity173
rainsux
Line Up and Wait
Q: If I were to offer to increase your salary:
1) double it; or,
2) by 3db
Which would you choose? Why?
For the non-engineers; it's a trick question: a 3db increase = 2x
The rest of the story. Back when it was fashionable to hire MBAs to
manage engineers, I was six months out of a 4 year co-op program,
followed by a thesis project/year. It was my first appraisal as a staff
engineer in a GM mfgr plant.
The engineering director (MBA) commented that I was too detailed and
was too focused on insignificant details. His example: We were installing
our first broadband netw in a mfg plant ... and the received signal levels
were 3db lower than what they should be, and it was creating havoc at
a few of the (robot) comm drops. His opinion: "3db is insignificant, get on
to the next job."
As the interview ended, he said that I was eligible for a raise and asked
me what amount I thought was appropriate. I answered, "3db." He knew
he'd been "had," but didn't grasp the irony.
The next morning I had a memo in my mail slot from the Works Manager,
inviting me to discuss my compensation. Uh, oh. He explained that I was
getting the customary $75/week raise ... plus another $75/week for my
attention to detail. He thought my 3db request was hilarious, then
admonished me to just play it straight down the middle with all of the
MBAs.
When an acquaintance was interviewing for an airline job. He was asked,
"What's the most dangerous thing you've experienced in aviation?" His
reply, "Last year ... I almost starved to death."
1) double it; or,
2) by 3db
Which would you choose? Why?
For the non-engineers; it's a trick question: a 3db increase = 2x
The rest of the story. Back when it was fashionable to hire MBAs to
manage engineers, I was six months out of a 4 year co-op program,
followed by a thesis project/year. It was my first appraisal as a staff
engineer in a GM mfgr plant.
The engineering director (MBA) commented that I was too detailed and
was too focused on insignificant details. His example: We were installing
our first broadband netw in a mfg plant ... and the received signal levels
were 3db lower than what they should be, and it was creating havoc at
a few of the (robot) comm drops. His opinion: "3db is insignificant, get on
to the next job."
As the interview ended, he said that I was eligible for a raise and asked
me what amount I thought was appropriate. I answered, "3db." He knew
he'd been "had," but didn't grasp the irony.
The next morning I had a memo in my mail slot from the Works Manager,
inviting me to discuss my compensation. Uh, oh. He explained that I was
getting the customary $75/week raise ... plus another $75/week for my
attention to detail. He thought my 3db request was hilarious, then
admonished me to just play it straight down the middle with all of the
MBAs.
When an acquaintance was interviewing for an airline job. He was asked,
"What's the most dangerous thing you've experienced in aviation?" His
reply, "Last year ... I almost starved to death."
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JOhnH
Touchdown! Greaser!
I don't know if it applies to you, but in our business, a minimum amount of Continuing Education is required. The CE can be any approved course or seminar, or even taking a test from a magazine.
I always ask how much CE they took in the past two years and to describe what type of CE it was. If they only took employer paid CE where they get paid time off, and if they only received the minimum CE, they lose points. If they take any of the free seminars, either on-site or internet based, on their own time they get extra points.
I always ask how much CE they took in the past two years and to describe what type of CE it was. If they only took employer paid CE where they get paid time off, and if they only received the minimum CE, they lose points. If they take any of the free seminars, either on-site or internet based, on their own time they get extra points.
EppyGA
Touchdown! Greaser!
Had an interview earlier this week and one of the interviewers was a young guy on the team I would be joining. He had his questions written down in his engineering notebook and they came right out of one of those books of interview questions.
I ended up interviewing him more than he interviewed me.
I ended up interviewing him more than he interviewed me.
ausrere
Pattern Altitude
The question I find gives the most interesting answers is:
"State three situations in which you did not succeed. Explain why for each situation. (Can be personally or professionally related)"
I'm most interested in what the answer to "why" is. Do they blame other people, take responsibility for their own short comings or decisions, etc.
Most people automatically assume I mean something they failed at, but it doesn't have to be. The most common answers I get are failed marriages and failure to get promotions.
Another question I find has interesting and informative answers is:
"Tell me about the one thing in your personal or professional life you are most proud of. Why?" It's sad when an applicant can't think of one thing.
"State three situations in which you did not succeed. Explain why for each situation. (Can be personally or professionally related)"
I'm most interested in what the answer to "why" is. Do they blame other people, take responsibility for their own short comings or decisions, etc.
Most people automatically assume I mean something they failed at, but it doesn't have to be. The most common answers I get are failed marriages and failure to get promotions.
Another question I find has interesting and informative answers is:
"Tell me about the one thing in your personal or professional life you are most proud of. Why?" It's sad when an applicant can't think of one thing.
steingar
Taxi to Parking
Why should I hire you, and not those other guys?
PBristolJr
Line Up and Wait
"Have you stopped beating your wife?"
Threefingeredjack
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Threefingeredjack
Wow, this thread has made me really grateful that I never had to interview anyone for any position, they were just sent to me and then I could either commend or condemn them in the Fitreps. Such as:
"This officer's men will follow him anywhere....but only out of a morbid sense of curiosity." (NOT mine, but a legendary quote. )
"This officer's men will follow him anywhere....but only out of a morbid sense of curiosity." (NOT mine, but a legendary quote. )
I have crew like that..."I'll go anywhere with you cap't, I never know what's gonna happen but it'll be interesting" was a response I got one time when I asked him "Hey, you want to take a run to..." and he answered yes before I told him where or on which boat. I asked him how he could be sure without knowing.
"if I asked you to get three hookers and bring them to the board room, what would you do?"
wabower
Touchdown! Greaser!
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Wayne
Go watch about 10 groups hit from the first tee. The other 37 would slice it into the woods on the right.
timwinters
Ejection Handle Pulled
Back when I was at FedEx, I had three candidates that seemed equally qualified for an opening. One was an engineer, one a mathematician, and one a physicist. So I asked each one a single tie-breaker question. I brought them into my office individually and pointed to a red rubber ball sitting on the meeting table.
"Calculate the volume please." I asked.
The mathematician measured the diameter, divided it by two to obtain the radius, and then used the formula 4/3*pi*r^3.
The physicist submersed the ball in a graduated beaker of water. The displaced volume of water is the volume of the ball.
The traditional engineer turned to her reference text The Physical Properties of Balls and in the chapter entitled "Rubber", found the table labelled "Red". Searching for a row that the contained the appropriate model number (which is stamped on the ball), she read across to the column "volume", ignoring those dealing with "coefficient of thermal expansion" and "software rev. level".
"Calculate the volume please." I asked.
The mathematician measured the diameter, divided it by two to obtain the radius, and then used the formula 4/3*pi*r^3.
The physicist submersed the ball in a graduated beaker of water. The displaced volume of water is the volume of the ball.
The traditional engineer turned to her reference text The Physical Properties of Balls and in the chapter entitled "Rubber", found the table labelled "Red". Searching for a row that the contained the appropriate model number (which is stamped on the ball), she read across to the column "volume", ignoring those dealing with "coefficient of thermal expansion" and "software rev. level".
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JOhnH
Touchdown! Greaser!
I ended up interviewing him more than he interviewed me.
That is what I hope for with everyone I interview. Most people spend the interview trying to sell themselves to me. I want someone that is willing to evaluate the job and determine if it is right for them. If they take a job that is not right for them, neither of us will be happy for long.
I like to let them tell me what they need from me, hence Tankerman PIC instead of Osh.
Everskyward
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Everskyward
Right. Why is it that even when people are told up front at the interview the ugly part of what they're getting into they don't seem to believe it and are disappointed later?
airguy
Cleared for Takeoff
Mostly they are in love with the idea of a bigger paycheck and figure they can swallow whatever bad parts of the job come along. It becomes critical for the interviewer to ferret out whether or not the company is better off with the candidate, or without.
I've been lead engineer for my company for just over 2 years now and still don't have a job description. My boss is the VP of the company, during my interview I asked him exactly what I would be doing. He replied "Everything I don't want to do."
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That is the long and the short of it right there.
I will add a quick Disney tidbit.......
Back in the early 80's I was offered a lead position in the "MouseHouse" Engineering / Prototype fabrication dept in Orlando, actually Reedy Creek Fla. After a nice dinner and a rather lengthy chat, the in house headhunters advised me I had to shave my moustache off as Disney personal grooming code prohibits facial hair. In that same sentence they threw out an insulting low ball starting pay offer thinking I would cave and commit to the job........
I sat there for a hour or so and got another free cocktail from them and then fed them back some of their own medicine........
My response to their offer involved a simple question...
If Walt Disney was still alive which one of you would kick him off Disney property because he had a moustache too.
..I politely thanked them for the prime rib dinner and walked away laughing... and never looked back at that decision.
.......As for the Reedy Creek comment.....
When Disney waltzed into Fla looking for a big chunk of property to create Disney World /EPCOT etc.... They smartly schmoozed the legislators in the Fla capital and was awarded the option to form a "service and improvement district" With that came some wonderful perks, like.... Having an inhouse tax assessor to determine the value of all property in the district, have their own law enforcement and all the other details allowed to legitimate counties. Was it smart
.. You bet... they got tax breaks anyone in the world would kill for.. But........... All the other taxpayers in Fla paid extra, and still do, to cover the smoke and mirrors Reedy Creek scam..We now return you to your regularly scheduled topic of Good Interview Questions.
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Something about them, my friend has worked for them as an artist as long as I've been going to sea and I have my 25 in this year. They still pay her crap, oh you weren't interviewing, you were auditioning as a cast member.
ausrere
Pattern Altitude
Sitting on an interview panel several years ago, we were taking turns asking questions. Usually one person was chosen to be the person who never seemed to like the applicant's answers. It didn't usually take the applicants long to figure out who that was, and you could see the dread on their faces every time it was that person's turn to ask a question....except this one guy who had obviously been through similar panels before and had been in the business long enough not to get too intimidated by the process.
Nearing the end of the interview, and end of a long day of these interviews with us all getting cranky and ready to call it quits, the disagreeable panelist asked the applicant, "So tell me, how much alcohol do you drink in a day?" The applicant, without missing a beat, responded, "I don't know, how much is required?" It cracked us all up. We had to stop the interview at that point because we were all toast by then. The guy passed the panel on to the next phase of testing.
Nearing the end of the interview, and end of a long day of these interviews with us all getting cranky and ready to call it quits, the disagreeable panelist asked the applicant, "So tell me, how much alcohol do you drink in a day?" The applicant, without missing a beat, responded, "I don't know, how much is required?"
It cracked us all up. We had to stop the interview at that point because we were all toast by then. The guy passed the panel on to the next phase of testing.