Re: Real Java Interview Questions
Travis James wrote, quoted or indirectly quoted
even then might not be able to answer due to all work being internal
company property.
Sabine Dinis Blochberger wrote:
Agreed. I was asked to show some source code in an interview and I was a
little taken aback - it's either my intellektual property (which I don't
want to give away like that) or a former employers.
Andrew Thompson wrote:
This interviewer might almost be expecting an answer to
the effect. "Sorry, that is confidential" which *assures the
employer/interviewer that you are not about to 'spill the
beans' on the trade secrets of *this* employer, to the
very next!*
OTOH, they might prefer to hear.
"Sorry, cannot tell you about the last *commercial/confidential*
project I was involved with, but I have also had involvement with
Open Source projects ...."
Andrew has the best interview skills here.
If all you have written is code for work, you probably aren't the best
candidate for the job. The best programmers don't put down their keyboards
when they go home.
The favored candidate will say, "I have samples up on sourceforge - I wrote
the Blazky module for the Frogovia project."
Or at least be able to point to some code out in the public, preferably with
an article or series of articles or blogs that establish them as a presence in
the development noosphere.
If two candidates of seemingly similar skill present themselves, the boss will
probably be more impressed with the one who has been publishing programs and
articles, and who keeps studying and perfecting their craft during "off"
hourse, over one who closes up shop at 5:17 PM.
"Can we see some work you've done?" is a perfectly reasonable question, and
the best candidates will have a rich portfolio for the client to review.
OTOH, sometimes you encounter an interviewer who is
a little more savvy.
The savvy ones ask open-ended questions designed to get you to reveal
yourself, not merely to check off a buzzword on their list.
--
Lew