Perm Role - Contractors Interviewing

**chris79** · 15 December 2008, 01:51

Sometimes things in large places are pretty screwed up.

The last place I was at me and another contractor agreed to help interview 2 potential replacements for OUR jobs?? ... After constructing a question list with the help of Google and Wikipedia (the sort of interview not even Einstein himself would pass), needless to say they were deemed unsuitable for the role and we kept our jobs.

Having said that one of the starting questions was "What does ITIL stand for?", and despite one guy having it on his CV he didn't know...

?????????????

**Liability** · 15 December 2008, 02:07

Originally posted by chris79 View Post

Sometimes things in large places are pretty screwed up.

The last place I was at me and another contractor agreed to help interview 2 potential replacements for OUR jobs?? ... After constructing a question list with the help of Google and Wikipedia (the sort of interview not even Einstein himself would pass), needless to say they were deemed unsuitable for the role and we kept our jobs.

Having said that one of the starting questions was "What does ITIL stand for?", and despite one guy having it on his CV he didn't know...

?????????????

LOL now that's cold!

I just don't feel this interview will be worth my time as I cannot see them taking it serious and will no doubt do something similar to what you have done. The two have been there for 3 years and the Programme has been told that they need to get rid of the Contractors by March [they have 40].

**NickFitz** · 15 December 2008, 02:19

Originally posted by chris79 View Post

Having said that one of the starting questions was "What does ITIL stand for?", and despite one guy having it on his CV he didn't know...

I've met people who claim to be competent developers with database experience, yet don't know the expansion of SQL

I also interviewed one guy for a permy role whose CV included a "Publications" section listing, amongst other material, several front-page stories on Slashdot - as I've also had a few front-page stories on Slashdot I actually thought that was pretty interesting, although sadly there was a better candidate so he didn't get the job. I'm still not sure whether to include my Slashdot stories under "Publications" on my CV though

**Liability** · 15 December 2008, 03:02

Ive had some bad ones

Interviewed a guy for a Citrix Architect position a good 3 years ago

Have you ever been in a position where YOU are embarrased of the answers the other person gives? I was in that situation!

Started with basic questions on standard set ups with Web Interface etc, then onto Ports [he didnt know], than I moved onto differences between Terminal Services and Citrix [he didnt know] so I came back to fundamentals on what things youd appreciate when moving a application to a multi-user / multi-session environment [he didnt know]

It got to a stage where I couldnt ask him anything as he didnt know! I was well embarrased.....had to just say thanks for coming and let the Permie escort him out.

**cojak** · 15 December 2008, 07:23

Originally posted by Liability View Post

Hmm suspect!

Interview for Government Body on Tuesday to do with the NHS - I am being interviewed by two contractors and the HR Manager - and YES I will be replacing them due to cost cutting.

It is a Perm role but a good salary - not my preferred option but a back up for January should I want to stop watching Jeremy Kyle telling people they are Scum.

I highlighted this to the Agent again, and he says "Yes, there is that but as it is a role that is life and needs filling - they will need someone". LOL

So surely it is in their interest to get someone that doesnt show them up or is more competent than them? [not saying I am or am not]

Suspect? YES!

Oh Dear - how long have you been doing this?

They're contractors - this is the life of contractors. I always like to interview replacements, it's a professional legacy that keeps my reputation in good stead.

What is it to them? They'll get a new contract with new legs in it, not a tired old project that's run out of budget...

They aren't permies, you know...

**cojak** · 15 December 2008, 07:27

But crap interviewees, now that's a different story...

**PM-Junkie** · 15 December 2008, 09:49

Originally posted by cojak View Post

But crap interviewees, now that's a different story...

I interviewed one guy at 10am one morning after a particularly grim trip to work (pile up on the way in so traffic was a nightmare)....and was told by him on the way from reception to the interview room that I was "a f***ing idiot for going that way anyway".

I don't think he enjoyed the interview very much after that....

**NotAllThere** · 15 December 2008, 10:13

Originally posted by chris79 View Post

..
Having said that one of the starting questions was "What does ITIL stand for?", and despite one guy having it on his CV he didn't know...

...

Isn't that on a par with asking "What does SAP stand for?". My answer would be, I don't know, don't care. What relevance does it have?

**Purple Dalek** · 15 December 2008, 10:17

Originally posted by NotAllThere View Post

Isn't that on a par with asking "What does SAP stand for?". My answer would be, I don't know, don't care. What relevance does it have?

Yeah, so many cowboys have moved into SAP. That's why I'm looking at getting into C# and .Net. It's the future.

Perm Role - Contractors Interviewing