What is Digg?65 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+39One question they left out was
"Are you going to be on Digg stealing company bandwidth?" - armbar, on 10/12/2007, -4/+32No, it's so that the lid doesn't drop into the hole.
- MorningCoder, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23"Why is the manhole cover round?" got asked a lot in tech interviews.
- Vampire, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21Cool... This information would have been much more useful yesterday WHEN I HAD A INTERVIEW....
- Protonz, on 10/12/2007, -4/+24- What would each of you say is your worst quality?
Well, it takes me a long time to learn anything, I'm kind of a goof-off...
- Okay, that'll do.
... a little stuff starts disappearing from the workplace...
- That's enough! - jeff1943, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhole_cover#Why_are_they_round
- adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16"No, by the way do you have access point anywhere around here I can use?"
- cocoamix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16None of those are very difficult to answer.
Not compared to, "Does this dress make me look fat?" - Fett101, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17Tech people gotta go on job interviews too. This isn't the 90's still.
- sundancekid503, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11That question is so cliché and well known now. If an interviewer ever asks you that queston the best response is to dump your coffee on the table and walk out.
- antidukkha, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Mitch Hedberg tribute:
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Celebrating the 5th year anniversary of you asking me that question! - Utopian, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10No. Your fat makes you look fat.
- Blazeix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I did some looking around, and it seems that this originally came from a book: 'The Accelerated Job Search' by Wayne D. Ford.
It seems that this site was the first to post it online:
http://www.darienprofessionals.com/dpn_003.htm - kmattso, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7How would you solve this problem (that we are actually trying to solve and want you to figure it out for us, then we don't have to hire you because you gave us the answer)?
- radial, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6i disagree with most of the answers given. Giving these answers are giving ***** responses. I believe in telling the truth and straight up like it is.
Example: 37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead ofyour own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about
the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
my answer - Hell no
and like someone else said, any job asking me these type questions is not the kind of job i want. - pkulak, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10No, your face makes you look fat.
- kingkilr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6What do coworkers say about you?
He hasn't lost a sexual harrasment suit yet!
just kidding - astyanax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6First off, this is a great article. The advice for each question is very sound.
However, believe it there ARE companies if you are still trying to find a technical job in the US (and if you're reading digg, there's a good chance you are looking for just this). These still do exist. In fact, there are companies today where you will not even be asked the following questions in any of your interviews in the company (from the article):
4. Do you consider yourself successful?
5. What do co-workers say about you?
12. Are you a team player?
15. What is your philosophy towards work?
18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization
19. Why should we hire you?
22. What is your greatest strength?
24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Some of these questions are just annoying and are used to throw you off to see how you react to different situations. However, they can also be a sign that you've stepped into a corporate nightmare where everyone reads Fortune and Forbes and day trades rather than reading digg and reading O'reilly books.
My personal rule of thumb is if you are asked "what will it say on your tombstone" by anyone, even the HR rep, you probably don't want to work there. Yes it's stupid to judge the company by its HR department, but these are the people who are supposed to be taking case of your 401K and insurance, not trying to annoy the hell out of you.
I could ramble more, but again, good article and remember that you don't need to give the 'right answer' to every question, honesty is important if you want to actually enjoy your job! - Quakes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5That's the easiest one of all. There is but one answer.
- RidinDirty, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5He's just demostrating his ability to work in a team environment and be inclusive of the ideas and input of others. I do the same as often as possible - my team is the internet and I depend on my team's contributions to get the job done while creating win-win situations in the pursuit of strategic partnerships and long term customer facing high trust mutually beneficial business relationships in a fast paced goal oriented results driven customer first manner.
- merm, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8>How is this posting 'Technology' related?
How is yours Sir Troll? - steveodigg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Mu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_%28negative%29
- celtboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The secret(s) to being a good interviewee? Be- yourself, confident, prepared, enthusiastic.
I've hired people much less qualified technically than others because their interest in the job was absolutely through the roof. The growing school of thought : Hire for attitude, train for skill.
I've either asked, been asked, or seen asked most of the 50 questions. My personal favorite that I like to ask:
"Who is your favorite cartoon character, and why?"
If nothing else, it throws candidates off and makes them relax. That is important for me as an interviewer -- I want the candidate to be themselves. I need to make sure I'm hiring someone for who they are - not for what they present themselves to be. The truth is that if they can't be themselves, they probably wouldn't want to work on my teams anyway.
As I said, be enthusiastic. An excellent way to do that is by asking good questions. I am always left with an uncomfortable feeling when I ask "Do you have any questions for us?" and the response is "nope." Arrive with a laundry list of prepared questions. The best one I've ever been asked as the interviewer:
"What issues do you have with me and this interview right now, so that I can address them here?"
Totally threw me back....interviewers aren't expected to be put on the spot. Don't get me wrong, this might anger some types but for me it showed a real zeal and attitude of resolve.
Be prepared to answer: "What is your greatest strength and what is your greatest weakness?" -- When I ask these types of questions (which I don't particularly like myself), I'm trying to see if the candidate came prepared for the interview, not how they actually answer....but I may be a rare breed of interviewer who tries to actually get useful information from an interview..... - dodgingcars, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Lot of job books tell you how to handle the question; "What kind of salary do you need?" They all tell you not to directly answer this question, because you may come out on the losing end -- Either you mention something lower than they'd be willing to pay and they can give you a lowball offer or you mention something too high and they are turned off to hiring you (even if you may have considered a lower salary or after talking to you longer, they realize you may be worth what you're wanting).
However, my experience is that if this question is asked -- They want it answered. I've tried to avoid answering this with the methods suggested and I actually had one interviewer say to me, something like, "Stop playing games and just tell me how much you want to be paid."
So, if I'm point blank asked what I want to make, I just give ranges now. i.e. 40-50k depending on the responsibilities of the position and what kind of benefits are included. - chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"....honesty is important if you want to actually enjoy your job!"
I couldn't agree more.
In a job interview
1. Common Sense
2. Honesty
3. Be positive.
In my last inteview, I was honest when I said I couldn't think of any conflict with any co-workers. I offered an incident with a previous supervisor. I explained how I handled the situation. I handled it in a productive and positive way. I privately offered my view to my supervisor and without any delay carried out their directions despite not agreeing with them.
I was open and honest with every question. And I offered answers to several of the "don't' answer" questions. I got the job and love it. - dodgingcars, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@nawitus
Because like it or not... interviewing is a skill. And it's a skill many lack even if they have the qualifications and a good personality. You may not like the game, but it's the game nearly every company uses... so you better learn the game. - flipmeat, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5"Where were you when Wham! broke up?"
- bfkennedy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Good information, but it's unfortunate that the original poster didn't provide attribution to the source of the list.
- justice7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I always get asked "What is your biggest flaw?"
This is a serious question, because you can't use the old cliche "I work too hard", because that wouldn't in fact be a flaw.
The best answer here is an honest one. You can weasel your way out of this easily by explaining how you cope with your flaw, and how it does not affect you at work.
I mentioned in an interview that my biggest flaw is my organizational skills. This is a huge asset to have, especially in the type of position i am in. The panel of interviewers sat there looking stunned at me -- as if he said organizational? .. Except, i rebuted with "However, I carry a PDA/Palm Pilot i use to organize my day and schedule. I find that when I use an organizer, I am spot on as I can follow direction very well."
And guess what, I ended up getting the job. - AF-Geek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The first link when I googled "50 common interview questions" is a pdf with a copyright notice from JobsAssist.com.
I agree that attribution should have been posted.
@RidinDirty: Hilarious! - samurailynn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Whenever I've been asked the "what's your biggest weakness" question, I'm always tempted to ask "what's the worst thing about working here" when they get around to asking me if I have any questions. I haven't done it yet, but it's really tempting. I just want to see how they'd react.
- MasterDwarf, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I have an interview with a super big wig on Wednesday. They told me to come with questions, maybe I'll use some of these on him. :-)
- neoknight, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4just make sure you dont say you're PhD assignment was to submit stories to digg so you can get an A.
- AF-Geek, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5If you walk, give me a call... I'll work for bozos if the job and pay are good.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3probably wont come up at a tech job, but after thinking i had done really well for an interview for a good bartending job at a posh resort, i was asked one more question.
"what is my name?"
After 30 mintues of answering questions i was at a loss of the name of the man asking them. Another minute i might have had it but he said "our clientsl expect to be reconized when they come in" and thanked me for coming. Needless to say i did not get the job.
The only thing that bothers me now is I have never been asked that question again and believe me I am ready for it. - Crowe, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3With the local historical reenactment society? Just the wig might not be enough.
- Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5If they ask these stupid questions, I walk. I will not work for bozos.
- brainache, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4They aren't where I come from (the UK). They're square.
- aznron911, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2GREAT ARTICLE!!!
I've had two interviews and they both sunk. Thanks for submitting! - datigz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2good list, but no digg from me because not only was it not linked to the original site, but also linked to a blog
Thanks Blazeix for the original link - eszter, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4As a commenter notes on the post, it looks like this content was copied from elsewhere online. There are lots of sites that have reposted this material before. Why digg this one and not the original? Granted, it's a bit hard to tell who had originally written it since it's been copied so many times without attribution.
- masteryoda, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2A plain Copy Paste from
http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:QhgztDWPr28J:www.eveandersson.com/general-comments/attachment/1565/50interviewqas.pdf+50+common+interview+questions&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=1 - spinchange, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One caveat to this list:
Prospective employers for commission based sales jobs generally want money to be more important to the candidate that merely "gratification of the work/job." I know that might sound might shallow -or- greedy but its the truth. There's been tons of professional research done for Fortune 500 companies that says a sales person whose primary motivation is money will generally be more successful than one whose is not.
So if you're interviewing for a sales job and think the "i just love to help people" answer will sound good (even if it's your personal truth) It will probably raise more of a red flag then making you look good. - 13tongimp, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4Q: Have you ever taken someone else's content and posted it on your blog without attributing the source?
- gmillerd, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I hear that a lot and laugh every time someone claims they do that. I wonder who will be babysitting their children, taking care of their parents, what questions they would ask of their doctor(s) before a important procedure, or if they as managers just spin a bottle at the resume that has the most "elite" factor in it spend the $25,000 in average costs to seat someone at a desk.
These questions are mostly about how you articulate yourself, can you communicate a concept to another living being. Those questions and most questions are about getting to know you in a formal fashion.
No business needs someone who cannot communicate, no matter what the skills. - shakeyshakey, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4Q: What is the meaning of Life?
A: 42 - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Paste the URL in Copyscape.
http://www.copyscape.com/
I found ten. - binarybyron, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2people who copy and paste content to their own blog without giving the original author their dues then submit to digg need to be banned. Where are your ethics? This is no more than a splog!
- vladdythegeek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0So the question was "What is your biggest flaw" or, as I have heard it on several interviews, "What is your biggest weakness?"
3 foot putts. I just can't sink them.
I think the "I work too hard" is completly bogus as 1) It's not a flaw and 2) there really isn't a "working TOO hard".
I go with humor. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I'm honest on that one too. I answer "patience", as in I get impatient with co-workers who aren't pulling their weight. But I stress that I am always mindful of this and successfully keep it in check. It's not necessary to mention that you have an urge to run over your slower coworkers.
I've cleared interviews with that answer. -
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