So, I totally bombed an interview...

[gacook]

Yeah, I figured they were technical questions. One of my teams are DBAs that also do some programming. The contractor is always whining about us looking for a unicorn...to which I reply that they took the contract--find the person.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Not to disrespect, but if your over a certain age, the interview process is different. Been on both sides of that equation.

I'm 66 and free to earn more $$$, So I stuck my toe in water and now I start Monday.
head still spinning, everyday was a Saturday.

[stealthn]

Congrats, I have a video interview next week. I guess my big question is, if they expect you to go work in the office (rather than from home), would you take the job?

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by legion

The questions that I bombed were very technical in nature.

Here's an example: "How would you prevent a class from being instantiated?"

I'd tell em that I would allude, imply and and hint at it, but wouldn't come out and actually make the statement.

BTW you spelled it wrong

[KFC911]

"I would cancel the class."

Next question please....

[legion]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

Not to disrespect, but if your over a certain age, the interview process is different. Been on both sides of that equation.

I'm 66 and free to earn more $$$, So I stuck my toe in water and now I start Monday.
head still spinning, everyday was a Saturday.

My FIL has been in capital equipment sales all his life. He'd basically been at bottom-level companies most of his career and had to really hustle to get by. About five years ago, a mid-level company called him and asked him to interview for a position. He wasn't looking to make a move, but figured "what the heck". He got the job and they offered him a sizeable base salary (something he'd never had before) on top of his commissions. He's making more money now than he ever has before. They had to lean out the sales department a few years ago and he went a year and a half being the only sales guy. He's shot past his planned retirement date (he's 68) because he's just plain having so much fun in his job. He figures he'll stop when he doesn't enjoy it anymore, which could be any day as he's not working because he needs to.

[rusnak]

Maybe your new boss rambles on a lot, and ignores visual ques to stop talking?

[legion]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Maybe your new boss rambles on a lot, and ignores visual ques to stop talking?

[astrochex]

Congrats, legion!

I had a video interview for my current job and it was a slightly weird experience.

[Ayles]

Sat on an interview panel today via vidcon. The poor kid really did bomb it. The worst part was that the the stuff he didn’t know, the answer could have been “I dont know, but I would look it up” and at least come off as teachable or willing to learn but he tried to bs on something technical. Another big miss was that there were all levels of the org on the panel. From the ceo to a recent grad and he couldn’t think of one question to ask after the interview and presentation.

[legion]

I thought I'd circle back after six months on the new job.

I haven't actually met anyone on my new team. All of the work has been virtual. I did get to go into the office for about three and a half months, but none of my team returned.

I was an expert in my old job and had a manager that liked to load me up with 50-60 hours a week's worth of work. Taking time off just meant that I wouldn't make a deadline on something, and I couldn't get out of the "extra" night and weekend work. It seemed like everything I tried to do to lower my stress levels just lead to me getting a bad review from my manager--who when she wasn't telling me what a bad job I was doing, was ignoring me. She cancelled three consecutive monthly one-on-ones until I told her that I was leaving. I always felt like managers were making decisions on raises and such based on a handful of interactions throughout the year. The fact that I was finding new ways to save the company tens of millions of dollars each year didn't seem to be a consideration.

I honestly feel underworked in my new job. Maybe it's that I'm so used to being overworked. I feel like I have time to do the thing I'm asked, do some additional investigation for my own curiosity, and document what I've learned. I find myself asking for more work frequently. My new boss keeps telling me I'm doing a great job--which is a new experience for me. She actually gave me a small raise outside of the annual review process--something I've also never had before. Today she told me that I'll be interviewing our team's intern candidates next week.

Aside from weekly meetings with my boss (I typically met with my manager in my previous role somewhere between 3 and 12 times a year), I also meet with my AVP (boss's boss) monthly and my OVP (boss's boss's boss) quarterly. These also aren't the typical meet-and-greets I'd randomly have in my old role. They seem to come to these meetings with specific questions for me--often to get my thoughts on various technologies or methodologies. I just honestly give my opinions (or occasionally tell them I have no opinion on something when I don't feel well-enough informed to offer one).

[LWJ]

^^^CONGRATS!!!

I have had MANY awful jobs. When you find a great manager / job it seems too easy. Nicely done. It seems you found a place that values you. Wonderful!

[Scott Douglas]

That's cool, sounds like you're being appreciated and have a much better balance of work/family time too.

[flipper35]

Your old boss sounds like my wife's new boss.

[astrochex]

Congrats, Chris! Your work mix seems optimal. It can be a luxury to properly document your work.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by legion

I thought I'd circle back after six months on the new job.

I haven't actually met anyone on my new team. All of the work has been virtual. I did get to go into the office for about three and a half months, but none of my team returned.

I was an expert in my old job and had a manager that liked to load me up with 50-60 hours a week's worth of work. Taking time off just meant that I wouldn't make a deadline on something, and I couldn't get out of the "extra" night and weekend work. It seemed like everything I tried to do to lower my stress levels just lead to me getting a bad review from my manager--who when she wasn't telling me what a bad job I was doing, was ignoring me. She cancelled three consecutive monthly one-on-ones until I told her that I was leaving. I always felt like managers were making decisions on raises and such based on a handful of interactions throughout the year. The fact that I was finding new ways to save the company tens of millions of dollars each year didn't seem to be a consideration.

I honestly feel underworked in my new job. Maybe it's that I'm so used to being overworked. I feel like I have time to do the thing I'm asked, do some additional investigation for my own curiosity, and document what I've learned. I find myself asking for more work frequently. My new boss keeps telling me I'm doing a great job--which is a new experience for me. She actually gave me a small raise outside of the annual review process--something I've also never had before. Today she told me that I'll be interviewing our team's intern candidates next week.

Aside from weekly meetings with my boss (I typically met with my manager in my previous role somewhere between 3 and 12 times a year), I also meet with my AVP (boss's boss) monthly and my OVP (boss's boss's boss) quarterly. These also aren't the typical meet-and-greets I'd randomly have in my old role. They seem to come to these meetings with specific questions for me--often to get my thoughts on various technologies or methodologies. I just honestly give my opinions (or occasionally tell them I have no opinion on something when I don't feel well-enough informed to offer one).

That's fantastic. It sounds like you've found your place, and have a better, more aware manager. I've made similar moves in the past and it's really nice to be in the situation that you're in now and horrible to be in the position that you were in before. I'm glad that you were able to make the move.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by legion

The questions that I bombed were very technical in nature.

Here's an example: "How would you prevent a class from being instantiated?"

My answer: "I'd mark it as abstract."

Their response: "We're looking for a different answer." WTF?

So what were they looking for?
No argument private constructor?