[DUG] Work Wanted in Wellington

Thu Jul 3 13:02:49 NZST 2014

Giving specifics is hard because it would depend on the work you want them
to do but also the level you are hiring for.

We basically have zero interest in someones ability to write SQL because we
don't have to write SQL at all. While it is a handy skill to have.
We hope they have exposure to unit testing and know and understand the
difference between unit and integration testing.

We look for people that can hold a discussion on system / class design. We
discuss code separation. I have a list of 20 verbal questions that I ask
during an interview. I don't ask all 20, many questions rely on previous
responses (being correct). I've been in interviews where I've asked just
the first couple and had to stop (some are really basic that every
developer should know). The questions vary in skill required and we like to
hear the answers but we also like to see they they react and their
mannerisms when responding. We do ask questions that are very hard and we
don't do it to big note ourselves but to see how the person copes with not
knowing the answer or the thought process they go through while thinking
about it. If they know the answer - that's great as well. Some questions
(aim to) lead into further discussions about previous job experiences and
the like - we like it when this occurs.

After the discussion portion which is generally 30 - 60 mins, they get a
written test which we allow 60 mins for. This is just to prove they not
only know all the right answers, but can use and implement the things we
have discussed previously.

The test has specific skills we'd like the person to have and some skills
that we'd like them to have. The test is written - we want to know what
they know (not what Bob in the UK knows to be the answer!).

We recently interviewed for a FireMonkey position and gave them a PC and a
sample project to maintain.

One question that should be on everyone's interview list is exception
handling. The number of developers that don't know how to use it is a
worry. One of the questions involves "debugging on paper". Following the
flow of a method when it has different outcomes and outputting the correct
method result for different inputs.

We have no issues with wrong answers, it is mostly how they reach the
answer. The thought process.

The biggest issue when conducting interviews is making the person
comfortable. They will be at their best when they are comfortable and at
the end of the day that is what I want. The less interviews I have to do,
the better!

I think I've successfully side stepped the response you were hoping to get
:-)

On Thu, Jul 3, 2014 at 9:20 AM, John Bird <johnkbird at paradise.net.nz> wrote:

>   OK that begs a further discussion!
>
> What in your eyes makes a developer “good” as opposed to thinking they are
> good – specific qualities please of what the good qualities are.  I am
> wondering if there are many opinions of what a “good” programmer is which
> might explain why some think they are good whilst others think they are
> not.  What are the more objective measures?
>
> I have worked on numerous projects the last few years and seen a lot of
> different talents.  Some that stick out in my experience are:
>
>
>    - Technical proficiency – ie knowing already what is likely to be the
>    best technology to use to tackle a new problem
>    - OO depth.   Is it innate or learned?   How is it best learned?
>    - Ability to mentor and guide others through existing code
>
> Curious to hear specifics from you as you have the reputation of a Delphi
> authority!
>
>  *From:* Jeremy North <jeremy.north at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 3, 2014 10:23 AM
> *To:* NZ Borland Developers Group - Delphi List
> <delphi at listserver.123.net.nz>
> *Subject:* Re: [DUG] Work Wanted in Wellington
>
>  I know here (Australia) we would happily pay decent salaries if we found
> Delphi developers that were actually good and didn't just *think* they were
> good.
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 3, 2014 at 8:06 AM, Stefan Mueller <muellers at orcl-toolbox.com>
> wrote:
>
>>  As a Swiss Delphi Developer living in New Zealand I find that
>> interesting.
>>
>> Switzerland isn’t exactly at the top of my mind when I think about the
>> “value for bucks” for outsourcing work to – not because you don’t get the
>> quality, but because salaries there are almost twice what you would have to
>> pay here.
>>
>>
>>
>>  Kind regards,
>>
>>  *Stefan Müller*,
>> R&D Manager
>>
>> *ORCL* *Toolbox Ltd.*
>> Auckland, New Zealand
>>
>>
>> P Please consider the environment before printing this email
>>
>> This message is intended for the adresse named above and may contain
>> privileged or confidential information.
>> If you are not the intended recipient of this message you must not use,
>> copy, distribute or disclose it to anyone.
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* delphi-bounces at listserver.123.net.nz [mailto:
>> delphi-bounces at listserver.123.net.nz] *On Behalf Of *Tony Blomfield
>> *Sent:* Thursday, 3 July 2014 9:29 a.m.
>> *To:* 'NZ Borland Developers Group - Delphi List'
>> *Subject:* Re: [DUG] Work Wanted in Wellington
>>
>>
>>
>> Gary.
>>
>>
>>
>> If you would like to send the details to me I will have a chat with them.
>>
>>
>>
>> Unfortunately we have had such a bad run with Kiwi Developers we moved
>> our R&D over to Switzerland last year where we get much more cost effective
>> results.
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyway, I’d like to assess the person myself to see if they are suitable.
>>
>>
>>
>> Kind regards.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tony Blomfield
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* delphi-bounces at listserver.123.net.nz [
>> mailto:delphi-bounces at listserver.123.net.nz
>> <delphi-bounces at listserver.123.net.nz>] *On Behalf Of *Gary T. Benner
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, 2 July 2014 2:32 p.m.
>> *To:* delphi at delphi.org.nz
>> *Subject:* [DUG] Work Wanted in Wellington
>>
>>
>>
>> HI All,
>>
>> This just passed in if anyone can help:
>>
>> *Permanent Developer available in Wellington.*
>>
>> *Experienced Senior Delphi Developer looking for a permanent role in or
>> around Wellington. *
>>
>> *Open to remote work. Also open to learning a new language if needed.
>> Experienced in picking up code from others and looking after legacy systems
>> as well as new development.*
>>
>> *Also experienced as a Development Manager and Product Management.*
>>
>> Anyone with an opportunity can email me at gary at benner.co.nz and I'll
>> pass it on.
>>
>> cheers
>>
>> Gary
>>
>> List Admin
>>
>>
>> Gary Benner MNZCS ITCP
>> Information Technology Certified Professional
>> Onlearn Limited <http://www.onlearn.co.nz> - Online Learning Hosting &
>> Support, Training & Content Development
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>>
>>
>> Ref#: 41006
>>
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