Interview - a guide to being part of my team

Wow - interview after interview. Who have we found? Noone perfect. The first question I ask myself after each interview is: Do we have unrealistic expectations and standards?

Please, if you turn up for an interview do the following:

1. Prepare
Please have a clue about what the company you are interviewing for does. Right down to the level of the department. Also, read the spec. Don't just glance at the project pages for Spring, Hibernate 3, etc... If you don;t use technologies that are on there then learn. I want to know that you can pick up new stuff, and that you understand why to use new technologies. I don't care if you prefer one particular style over another, I want to know that you have thought about it and are willing justify yourself.

2. Don't lie
If you don't know the answer to the question, don't guess. Having prepared (you read point 1?) you should know enough basics. Outline your knowledge and ask for a small lesoon in the business.

This leads to ..

3. Show interest
Please don't turn up if you are not going to be enthusiastic. We like what we do. If we didn't we would leave. We expect you to be able to fit in to our team and contributes.

4. Don't be negative
Wow, I don't care if your old boss didn't let you use Maven 2 (you are a professional aren't you?). I want to know that you know what Maven 2 does, how you have implemented it at home, and how it fits into a software development project. Once again see point 2. If you don't know ask. Once we have explained the benefits just say that sounds really cool.

5. Don't ever be late.
Actually this is a lie. I am human hear me squeak. I will understand if you are late. But only if you contact me asap when you know you are going to be late.

6. Please charge your cellphone battery for phone interviews
... If you need more here, just fuck right off.


Oh, and most of all don't let an agent screw you. They should add on no more than 15%. Ask me how much you are being put forward at. I will tell you. Remember agents are the enemy.