Got contacted by company, possible dream job.

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morslilleole
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29 Apr 2014, 1:59 pm

So today I got contacted by a major software company about a software engineering position ( programming. ) I really, really do want to work for them. Actually I was kinda surprised to get contacted by them, as I don't really have a lot of experience. I do think I have the skills required for a junior position there. But I also know a lot of people want to work there and thus the requirements to get a position there are high...

After a quick Googling, I found that they ask quite complicated questions during the interviews. Some of them are of the nature that I would have to concentrate for a bit to really understand them. And some of the nature that I would have to experiment a little first since it's something that I have never done, but probably could do given the chance.

But the biggest problem is doing this with limited time AND someone watching me as I do it.... I'm not sure I'd be able to do that.

Any advice? I will still go through with the hiring process, but I'm insanely nervous about getting "grilled."


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LoveNotHate
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29 Apr 2014, 2:27 pm

I remember hearing that google will test their applicants with wordy, tricky, puzzles. Inside the puzzles with be a test to see if you have "common sense intelligence" to figure out things not related to software engineering. One of these puzzles tested if the applicant knew how to read a sun dial.

I interviewed with Citrix and they asked me ... "how does a 'swap file' work ?" (i.e., in paging)

one Microsoft interview I heard they asked someone to build a process out say all NAND gates to accomplish some stated logic

I interview with Logika and they asked me, "How many lines of code have you written?". In the same interview, they asked, "What is your worst trait"?

One interview they asked me, "explain the multi-tier architecture of the client/server model"?

The people interviewing you DONT KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS EITHER , REMEMBER THAT

Maybe have some ready answers for when you cannot solve something, or don't know something.

- I would also be ready for "do you like teamwork"?
- Do you like, "testing your code"?
- Do you believe in the principals of software design methodology?
- Which software design methodology do you think works best ?



morslilleole
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29 Apr 2014, 2:46 pm

LoveNotHate wrote:
I remember hearing that google will test their applicants with wordy, tricky, puzzles. Inside the puzzles with be a test to see if you have "common sense intelligence" to figure out things not related to software engineering. One of these puzzles tested if the applicant knew how to read a sun dial.


Yeah I guess a lot of these questions are so that the interviewer can see how you solve problems. Which is basically what a programmer does. I believe I'm good at that. My biggest fear is that I'll be too nervous to think straight. Or that they will tell grill me hard to improve my solution.

LoveNotHate wrote:
-Do you believe in the principals of software design methodology?
- Which software design methodology do you think works best ?

Another fear is one of those buzwords. I don't really knows what is meant by "software design methodology" but I guess I could just ask the interviewer if I got any questions like that ( ? )


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LoveNotHate
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29 Apr 2014, 4:47 pm

morslilleole wrote:
LoveNotHate wrote:
-Do you believe in the principals of software design methodology?
- Which software design methodology do you think works best ?

Another fear is one of those buzwords. I don't really knows what is meant by "software design methodology" but I guess I could just ask the interviewer if I got any questions like that ( ? )


"Iterative Model" , "Grady Booch Method", "Agile", "Waterfall" ...
source, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_d ... nt_process

It might be best to figure out what method they use now, and then say you like that method the best :D



morslilleole
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29 Apr 2014, 5:00 pm

LoveNotHate wrote:
It might be best to figure out what method they use now, and then say you like that method the best :D


Just Googled it. Turns out they use scrum, which is the one I'm used to =D


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kraftiekortie
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29 Apr 2014, 5:34 pm

I hope you get the job.

They probably contacted you because they use "scrum," and perhaps they know that you use "scrum."



morslilleole
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29 Apr 2014, 5:35 pm

kraftiekortie wrote:
I hope you get the job.

They probably contacted you because they use "scrum," and perhaps they know that you use "scrum."

Thank you =)

I really hope they contacted me because of other reasons than scrum =P


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kraftiekortie
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29 Apr 2014, 5:41 pm

Truthfully, I know nothing about Programming--Bad Aspie is I!! !!

Anyway...good luck in obtaining your job. When you get it, call me, and I'll take advantage of the new accommodations you will get because you got this great job LOL....Hotels are so expensive in Norway!



morslilleole
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29 Apr 2014, 5:45 pm

kraftiekortie wrote:
Truthfully, I know nothing about Programming--Bad Aspie is I!! !!

Anyway...good luck in obtaining your job. When you get it, call me, and I'll take advantage of the new accommodations you will get because you got this great job LOL....Hotels are so expensive in Norway!


Unfortunately, the job is not in Norway, but in England. But yes, hotels are horribly expensive in Norway. Just like everything else. =P


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kraftiekortie
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29 Apr 2014, 6:02 pm

The UK has great scenery, too. You'd have to get used to the narrow roads in cities, though. And driving on the opposite side.

The Lake District is nice, as is Highland Scotland.

It probably doesn't quite match Norway's scenery, though. Have you ever been to Hammerfest? 71 degrees north latitude, and ice free in the winter!



morslilleole
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29 Apr 2014, 6:08 pm

kraftiekortie wrote:
The UK has great scenery, too. You'd have to get used to the narrow roads in cities, though. And driving on the opposite side.
t

That will be a scary experience! Makes me glad I don't drive...

kraftiekortie wrote:
The Lake District is nice, as is Highland Scotland.


I'll have to go check out the scenery. I also want to see some medieval castle and old British roads ( like in Postman Pat=P )

kraftiekortie wrote:
It probably doesn't quite match Norhway's scenery, though. Have you ever been to Hammerfest? 71 degrees north latitude, and ice free in the winter!


Haven't been that far north, though I want to. There's a lot of pretty places up there. And the fjords further south are nice too.


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kraftiekortie
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29 Apr 2014, 6:21 pm

Bergen has amazingly mild winters, even warmer than New York! More like Seattle, near the west coast of the US.



morslilleole
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01 May 2014, 2:56 am

A little update : I will have a phone interview with them Friday. Very nervous about it.


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kraftiekortie
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01 May 2014, 7:39 am

Good Luck! You'll ace the interview!



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01 May 2014, 12:10 pm

morslilleole wrote:
A little update : I will have a phone interview with them Friday. Very nervous about it.

How exciting, good luck!



morslilleole
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02 May 2014, 2:35 am

kraftiekortie wrote:
Good Luck! You'll ace the interview!

Thanks =D You better be right!

MissDorkness wrote:
How exciting, good luck!

Thank you =D


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