First Programming Job
I applied for a job on campus working for the school in the division that works as both tech-support, and develops all the network software for the University. Including the applets for signing up for class, the internal servlets, and writing the webpages. Well today they sent me an email saying that my resume was among a few that were corrupted upon uploading to their application site. They asked I reply with the resume attached. I did so, and then shut down my computer till about an hour ago. I check my mail, and find that an hour after I replied, they emailed me again with a message to the effect of "oh., btw. interview next week. when can you come in?" Massive amounts of excitement. I told them when I'm available, and I'll have my first interview for a tech/software development job.
Now, in that email, the sender stated that I should email him during the next few days between some time slot so that I may take a development challenge. I've never been interviewed for a programming job...So, I was hoping some one who has a job in the field could let me know what I should expect? Obviously you wont know what the challenge would be, but hopefully some one could tell me their experience with this kind of thing. Here's to hoping.
edit: Incidentally. Best birthday ever....strictly for this.
Now, in that email, the sender stated that I should email him during the next few days between some time slot so that I may take a development challenge. I've never been interviewed for a programming job...So, I was hoping some one who has a job in the field could let me know what I should expect? Obviously you wont know what the challenge would be, but hopefully some one could tell me their experience with this kind of thing. Here's to hoping.
edit: Incidentally. Best birthday ever....strictly for this.
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Happy Birthday!! Sounds like a great present!
From what I've read (nothing more), interview challenges can range from the fizz-buzz to day long projects. I would just be ready for anything.
What kind of programming will you be doing? Strictly web dev?
From what I've read (nothing more), interview challenges can range from the fizz-buzz to day long projects. I would just be ready for anything.
What kind of programming will you be doing? Strictly web dev?
Alright, I'll prepare my mind for this challenge.
Also, from what I understand the majority of the development done is web dev, be it coding the webpages or developing the applets that are used on the webpages, but there is also internal servlets and such that are used among the faculty which are developed by them. Basically, any software that the school uses and is too specific or small to justify paying for, these guys make it for them.
I'm really excited for this interview, and I REALLY hope it goes well. Every interview I've had since my first job at the age of 15 I've bombed. Hopefully this will be different.
Also, from what I understand the majority of the development done is web dev, be it coding the webpages or developing the applets that are used on the webpages, but there is also internal servlets and such that are used among the faculty which are developed by them. Basically, any software that the school uses and is too specific or small to justify paying for, these guys make it for them.
I'm really excited for this interview, and I REALLY hope it goes well. Every interview I've had since my first job at the age of 15 I've bombed. Hopefully this will be different.
Make sure you know how to reverse a linked list.
http://www.mytechinterviews.com/reverse-a-linked-list
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/354875/reversing-a-linked-list-in-java-recursively
http://geek-o-pedia.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-would-you-reverse-singly-linked.html
http://www.mytechinterviews.com/reverse-a-linked-list
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/354875/reversing-a-linked-list-in-java-recursively
http://geek-o-pedia.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-would-you-reverse-singly-linked.html
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Happy Birthday!! :D Whats the big number?
Seraphimsan said:
That exactly how I felt when I landed the my internship! So much so I almost botched the telephone interview because I was so damn nervous!
Seraphimsan said:
I can't really impart any advice regarding how to perform well in an interview, but I can tell you how it was for me.
I had two job interviews that transformed into offers, one (which I turned down) was at a medium sized company in the U.K. called Amey (they build the systems that the London Public Transport System use) and one for a large multinational in Germany.
At Amey it was a gruelling experience, firstly it was raining so my suit got soaked on the way there, and I'd overestimated the time it would take to get to the office (which turned out to be a blessing!). I arrived 30 minutes early, and I waited in the interview room, nervous as HELL ! I decided that I would occupy myself by reading up about the company and it's parent company.
My interviewers came in the form of the head of the department and a junior developer, and with them they have brought a copy of my cover letter and C.V. I thanked my lucky stars when they opened up with the question "So what do you know about the company?", and as I had just read up about the company it was fresh in my mind! I could tell they were impressed by the initial exchange by their body language (very important to bear this in mind at all times). Sadly that was the easy part.
When the interview began proper they cross examined every line of my C.V. and my covering letter asking me extremely penetrating questions about the statements I had made. One such line of questioning was about me "management capabilities", as I had stated that I was a project manager of two teams for two big assignments (ultra stressful), they delved into every aspect of it, but particularly the friction between me and another team member, and we even spoke briefly about my relationship with my father (suffice it to say it got very personal)!
All in all the interview took around 1 hour 30 minutes, so you can imagine the depth they went into.
My other interview seemed to be more of a formality, as they had already decided they were going to give me the job (unknown to me at the time). As the job was in Germany, and I was in the U.K. the interview took a different format. It was a telephone interview and a scary one at that! Between the fuzz of the international line and their thick German accents, it was very difficult to understand what my interviewers were asking, (especially as their were 3 people interviewing me).
I was so high off the adrenaline I can't really remember what was said, but they do remember they asked me about several projects I had contributed to, what I knew about C++, Java and Windows Programming. It was scary for a few days because I was in a state of disbelief! But I remember the interview was over as quickly as it started.
I've noticed that I've rambled on, but I'll try to articulate what I said succinctly:
-research the company, the managers, what the company does, who they are owned by, e.t.c.
-know where the location is!
-when you meet your interviewer, shake his hand and look him directly in the eyes when ever you address him/her. This leaves a greater impression.
-you will be nervous (that is a given), but that no excuse to mumble and slur your words. Keep your composure, speak clearly, properly and above all else be friendly! Try and build a rapport with them (the more they like you the more difficult it is to reject your application!)
-be aware of your interviewers body language
-go through your own covering letter and C.V. and try and anticipate lines of questioning so, should they ask about anything you have the answer ready.
-Maybe to some trial interviews with questions you anticipate with a close friend or maybe even a lecturer that you trust.
-if you believe in God, pray :) (I don't really believe in God but I still prayed!).
Sorry about the length of this message, but I thought I'd give you the full run down! GOOOOD LUCK!
Seraphimsan said:
Every battle starts in the mind, be positive and forget about things like this! You'll be fine, because you are awesome at what you do! Remember that!
Seraphimsan said:
| Massive amounts of excitement. |
Seraphimsan said:
| my first interview for a tech/software development job. |
I had two job interviews that transformed into offers, one (which I turned down) was at a medium sized company in the U.K. called Amey (they build the systems that the London Public Transport System use) and one for a large multinational in Germany.
At Amey it was a gruelling experience, firstly it was raining so my suit got soaked on the way there, and I'd overestimated the time it would take to get to the office (which turned out to be a blessing!). I arrived 30 minutes early, and I waited in the interview room, nervous as HELL ! I decided that I would occupy myself by reading up about the company and it's parent company.
My interviewers came in the form of the head of the department and a junior developer, and with them they have brought a copy of my cover letter and C.V. I thanked my lucky stars when they opened up with the question "So what do you know about the company?", and as I had just read up about the company it was fresh in my mind! I could tell they were impressed by the initial exchange by their body language (very important to bear this in mind at all times). Sadly that was the easy part.
When the interview began proper they cross examined every line of my C.V. and my covering letter asking me extremely penetrating questions about the statements I had made. One such line of questioning was about me "management capabilities", as I had stated that I was a project manager of two teams for two big assignments (ultra stressful), they delved into every aspect of it, but particularly the friction between me and another team member, and we even spoke briefly about my relationship with my father (suffice it to say it got very personal)!
All in all the interview took around 1 hour 30 minutes, so you can imagine the depth they went into.
My other interview seemed to be more of a formality, as they had already decided they were going to give me the job (unknown to me at the time). As the job was in Germany, and I was in the U.K. the interview took a different format. It was a telephone interview and a scary one at that! Between the fuzz of the international line and their thick German accents, it was very difficult to understand what my interviewers were asking, (especially as their were 3 people interviewing me).
I was so high off the adrenaline I can't really remember what was said, but they do remember they asked me about several projects I had contributed to, what I knew about C++, Java and Windows Programming. It was scary for a few days because I was in a state of disbelief! But I remember the interview was over as quickly as it started.
I've noticed that I've rambled on, but I'll try to articulate what I said succinctly:
-research the company, the managers, what the company does, who they are owned by, e.t.c.
-know where the location is!
-when you meet your interviewer, shake his hand and look him directly in the eyes when ever you address him/her. This leaves a greater impression.
-you will be nervous (that is a given), but that no excuse to mumble and slur your words. Keep your composure, speak clearly, properly and above all else be friendly! Try and build a rapport with them (the more they like you the more difficult it is to reject your application!)
-be aware of your interviewers body language
-go through your own covering letter and C.V. and try and anticipate lines of questioning so, should they ask about anything you have the answer ready.
-Maybe to some trial interviews with questions you anticipate with a close friend or maybe even a lecturer that you trust.
-if you believe in God, pray :) (I don't really believe in God but I still prayed!).
Sorry about the length of this message, but I thought I'd give you the full run down! GOOOOD LUCK!
Seraphimsan said:
| Every interview I've had since my first job at the age of 15 I've bombed. |
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@Lnk 2019
I tend to draw from the experiences of others, so A LOT of what you said is very helpful. Somethings I was already aware of (reading body language, eye contact, etc) But a lot of it I had never heard...probably because I never asked my father this stuff. A Computer Engineer turned internal auditor / Quality Assurance Manager for a large electrical product provider for corporate applications...or something like that I don't know I only get to hear his rants about how the IT department haaaaaates him. (probably because he is a Computer Engineer that went into this field...)
I digress.
Thank you so much for these words of advice. as for god, I'm agnostic so I believe two hands working can accomplish more than a thousand clasped in prayer. That said, any believers feel free to pray for me. From what I've read most monotheistic god's are loving of all their creatures...maybe they'll all take pity on me :P
That last word of advice means a lot, and I'll be certain to keep this in mind.
Lastly, as of 4/20 I'm 19. Though I'm often told I'm beyond that in mentality...probably because I come off as an old cynic or something like that. :P
I tend to draw from the experiences of others, so A LOT of what you said is very helpful. Somethings I was already aware of (reading body language, eye contact, etc) But a lot of it I had never heard...probably because I never asked my father this stuff. A Computer Engineer turned internal auditor / Quality Assurance Manager for a large electrical product provider for corporate applications...or something like that I don't know I only get to hear his rants about how the IT department haaaaaates him. (probably because he is a Computer Engineer that went into this field...)
I digress.
Thank you so much for these words of advice. as for god, I'm agnostic so I believe two hands working can accomplish more than a thousand clasped in prayer. That said, any believers feel free to pray for me. From what I've read most monotheistic god's are loving of all their creatures...maybe they'll all take pity on me :P
That last word of advice means a lot, and I'll be certain to keep this in mind.
Lastly, as of 4/20 I'm 19. Though I'm often told I'm beyond that in mentality...probably because I come off as an old cynic or something like that. :P
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Follow up: I emailed the Manager at 8:00 am sharp. he responded at 8:30 with a link to the challenge. I finished this challenge about an hour ago. Tested everything, all things work. Double checked to make sure all parts of the challenge were satisfied, they were.
This is not to brag about how great I am. This is to say....they took the fizz-buzz route of challenge.
This is not to brag about how great I am. This is to say....they took the fizz-buzz route of challenge.
Seraphimsan wrote:
Truer words have never been spoken!
Don't worry about the advice, I just hope it will help you! I never really had anyone to prepare me for life and it's trials and tribulations, I kinda muddled my way through, so I know how scary it can get when you don't quite know what your doing :)
Seraphimsan wrote:
In todays world it's pretty hard not be a cynic, I just hope for the best and prepare for the worst!
Seraphimsan wrote:
Glad to hear it! Just out of curiosity what was the challenge?
Good luck, and keep us posted!
| I believe two hands working can accomplish more than a thousand clasped in prayer. |
Don't worry about the advice, I just hope it will help you! I never really had anyone to prepare me for life and it's trials and tribulations, I kinda muddled my way through, so I know how scary it can get when you don't quite know what your doing :)
Seraphimsan wrote:
| probably because I come off as an old cynic |
Seraphimsan wrote:
| Tested everything, all things work. |
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Just an update, interview was today, it went really well. They want to see some more of my code, and will contact me with a possible job offer in the next couple of weeks :D
soo I was having trouble deciding what I should send in to them for some more of my code. They wanted something I was proud of. and then inspiration struck! Going off the hello world thread, I will make a really clever hello world! maybe hello genetics? or Hello Encryption/Decryption? and on top of that I will send in something slightly bigger (they want two separate submissions :D)
soo I was having trouble deciding what I should send in to them for some more of my code. They wanted something I was proud of. and then inspiration struck! Going off the hello world thread, I will make a really clever hello world! maybe hello genetics? or Hello Encryption/Decryption? and on top of that I will send in something slightly bigger (they want two separate submissions :D)
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Final update: Did not get the job. Some students upper class students with more working experience applied for the same position. Oh well, I'll apply again next year.
by the sound of it, it seems like the interviewers are well experienced (they asked to look at your code!)
you probably don't want to hear this, but you are still young, and have plenty of opportunities ahead of you - if you can, seek out developers who are smarter or more experienced than you and learn from them
also, try to work on a project from beginning to end - if you can show that you write good, clean code and unit-test your work, it will be a good start
also, keep programming - you only get better with more experience/practice - GL!
you probably don't want to hear this, but you are still young, and have plenty of opportunities ahead of you - if you can, seek out developers who are smarter or more experienced than you and learn from them
also, try to work on a project from beginning to end - if you can show that you write good, clean code and unit-test your work, it will be a good start
also, keep programming - you only get better with more experience/practice - GL!
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