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I was once asked "What 'magic' will you bring to the company?"
In another interview I was asked what I'd do if the developer I had just taken over from had spent the last year smoking crack. I think what he was trying to ask was under what circumstances would I consider refactoring code.
My post here is not really about the "The most ridiculous interview questions"
But I want to ask u here that whether any of you have encountered a situation whereby the interviewer asked u a techincal question and you answered but he/she didn't sure your answer was correct or not, and asked you to give another answer.
Just giving a classical example: "Why manhole cover is round?"Quote:
Originally Posted by CBasicNet
For sure, was never asked twice to the same person, although for sure the interviewers were never sure if a given answer is correct or not.
However, who knows? Maybe there are interviewers who want discover the correct answer together with the interviewees... :p
I find it most annoying when I am asked a question about a subject that the interviewer has no clue about.
as for the physics theme we are having here:
what is faster than light?
One of the recent ridiculous one : What is a template? (related to C++ templates)
I answered something about types, compiler generating code, instantiations, specializations and an example syntax...
Reply from Interviewer : Seems you have read a book recently coz you remember the syntax?
I laughed.. but not openly... just in my mind! :D
Then second one : What is an index? (related to databases)
I answered they help in quicker selects and started giving the examples about clustered and non-clustered index and how they are implemented.. so as to justify how the selects can be faster...
Interviewer : Do you think about all this stuff when putting an index on a table? I just asked what is an Index and you explained me about the internal data-structure?
To this one, I could not say anything.. may be I was at fault! :D ;)
The questions were not ridiculous but the follow-up ones were, IMHO! :D ;)
For a list of questions that the author believes are fair and useful in evaluating candidates, see http://oneparticularharbor.net/sam/interview.html
Why do you think this is a funny/silly/ridiculous question?Quote:
Originally Posted by ovidiucucu
Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by ovidiucucu
FYI..
They are round because a circle is the only shape that will not fall through it's self.
Why are barns painted RED...
Because red paint was the cheapest to make.
I thought they were round because circles provide the most efficient ratio of surface area to width.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanaj
I think the priority here is safety and covers not falling in rather than how much road space taken. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Comintern
If you wanted to minimize the surface area of the manhole, then you'd want to choose a shape that represents the profile of people as viewed from above (or below) and choose the minimum size so that someone could just barely squeeze through. This shape isn't round .... well, OK, for the people who typically must work in the manholes, it that shape might be round. :D :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Comintern
Thats not quite true, also equilateral triangle with appropriately shaped arcs instead of straight lines as sides (like, you know, a triangle into which you blow some air) would not fall into a hole of the same shape. Cannot find any ref, but read this somewhere :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Vanaj
Cheers
It's called a "Reuleaux triangle": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuleaux_triangle
Actually any physical substance will fit through an opening of a given size, provided it contains enough mass :eek:
Back to the interview questions....(sort of)....
I actually found a post on a majopr job board today for a position requiring a minimum of 10 years experience with C# and 5 years experience with AJAX.
Figured I would wait about 4 years, teleport back and apply for the job :D
Yes this is true..but the first time a city/state/government worker dropped this cover and dinged a corner it would fall through it's self. Not to mention trying to find a city machine shop that had something more than a lathe to make one...oh well..but you did make a point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hobson
end of hijacked thread...
That is not as bad as the posting on Yahoo for a Database programmer by the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City that stated one of the job requirements was to be a MEMBER OF THEIR CHURCH !!!..talk about discrimination !!Quote:
Originally Posted by TheCPUWizard
My thoughts on this....Quote:
Originally Posted by CBasicNet
When I've intereviewed people, I found it more important how they answered and how they treated the questions. The answers themselves were not as important. I looked for aptitude and an ability for the person to work within the environment.
Asking for an additional answer to a question is a fantastic way to evaluate a person - especially a programmer. From the reaction to such a request, I find out a lot. Most significantly, I find out if you are able to evaluate a problem by considering multiple approaches to a solution. The first solution you think of might not be the best, so if you can consider multiple solutions, then you have a better chance of developing better. If you react negatively to the request for a second solution, or if you react as if someone asked you to do the unthinkable, then you are likely to always go with your first instincts on a problem and not necessarily evaluate the situation for the better or best solution.
This request for a second solution also helps bring out another trait. If you are the type of person that things your answers are generally more correct than others, then you will be a little offended by being asked for a second answer. This will show in the reaction to the request. A negative reaction might indicate a person that will find it hard to take suggestions or to consider alternatives.
When I am the interviewee (and it has been a while :D) - I tend to look at the interview as mine to determine if I want to work for the company. As such, I tend to ask as many or more questions than the interviewer. I assume that they need me more than I need them (true or not, I believe it is the right mind set). As such, the questions I ask are as much "why do people want to work for your company? What are some issues you've had in getting projects developed? What is the methodology used by the compnay? What is the access to resources provided? These questions are relevant and get the interviewer time to talk and crow about the company. This allows them to feel good about the interview as well <G>.
Of course, this post doesn't provide funny, goofy, or other questions like this thread's topic states, but I thought it relevant :)
Brad!
Good tips there Brad! About asking questions from the interviewer.. I started this a few interviews back and it really helps!
About manhole covers - the simple reason is that the man-holes are round and to fit them well, the covers need to be round. If the holes were triangular, square, hexagonal, ellipse or whatever, the cover would be the same shape!