Interview @ TEC 2009 (a.k.a the Badass day)

Posted by Shaza Hakim on April 15, 2009

Job interview is an event here at Stampede. We dig seriously talented, happy bunch of people who take pride in their work. Some of our clients charmingly call this the “Stampede Material”. So the next one to join must be “badass” enough (Shaiful sure wins the prize for coining terms – my favourite is his “hot damn”).

It was a privilege when we were approached to build the website for UTP’s annual Technology, Education and Career (TEC) week. While Stampede is not exactly in its head-hunting mode, we have certainly enjoyed the resulting sponsorship perks, where we get to have job interview sessions with graduating students. It was not a a typical job interview per se. The idea was to provide interested students a conversational medium (hopefully casual enough) so they can ask us questions about the industry, web technology and current trend in web-relevant career.

We were aiming for a relaxed, no-protocol, more-discussion type of experience. Instead, it turned out to be a really intense interview marathon day.

The Pre-Interview Test

Because I remember well what I know about the web when I graduated from UTP – which was trickling at most – Shaiful and I figured a simple test prior to the interview would help us gauge each candidate’s web development skills. I admit I’m not a resumé person – I’ve known high-achievers who memorize textbooks and armed with resumé so littered with As it made me cringe.

So we scoured the web for simple CSS, XHTML and PHP tests and compiled a list at 2am prior to the interview day. Boy was that a good move. We immediately were able to spot real talents from the rest.

TIP: When a candidate established that doctype is missing from your XHTML test and then write it for you by hand, you hire them. It also applies to the guy who supplied you the name of a none-too-common typeface on a whim. Pay attention to these people.

Initial Expectations

Communicating thoughts and ideas well is high on my list, so we require each candidate to prepare a simple presentation of ANY web projects they have previously worked on. Nothing too daunting, just a short and sweet 7-minute before the actual interview starts.

The first one seemed nervous. He didn’t have a laptop with him, just a thumb drive, but he nailed it so well on Shaiful’s machine that I was happy he stretched past the 7-minute mark. We could all see that real work was done for that 7-minute. The website was about various photography techniques, something he must be very passionate about because you couldn’t help but feel his enthusiasm. It was an honor for us, so thank you, Aizat.

As we go through interviewing each candidate, I kept a mental note the questions we asked.

So we ask them…

…to name one web industry website or blog that they visit regularly.

Not quite what I had in mind – while Deviantart is a reasonable answer for a web designer, most of the students encounter very minimal exposure to the web industry. Some cited Gmail. Could it be the intermittent connection that still plague the university since our time there 5 years ago? Possibly.

…to tell us about their favourite or most recent book.

It took some candidates longer than 5 seconds to answer this. It gives me the impression that reading is not very important. It should be.

…to give us an insight of what they know about W3C.

Two-third asked us to repeat the acronym. Three have no clue what W3C stands for. Web standards is almost an alien concept except to a precious few whose curiosity serves them well. Almost all shared the same sentiment that a better industry-relevant web course is in dire need at the university.

…to share with us what they know about Stampede.

One answered that he didn’t get to visit Stampede’s website prior to the interview because he was occupied with the preparation of another interview. With a multinational company, that is. While we’re not a exactly a giant, we’re pretty good in what we do. Not checking who you apply for job from is ignorance at the very least and a waste of time to both parties.

Don’t go for an interview unless you really want to work for the company.

Stop. Then smile and walk in happy.

I saw a few somber and uninterested faces. I love nervous and frazzled candidates – we had a few – and I take it means they care enough about the job they’re applying to actually be worried about the interview. One candidate was so intent at not smiling that you can almost see rainclouds over his head. But the instant he smiled, the room lit up. Then just as quickly, he resumed the dark, unforbidding look again.

Be very careful when you decide to don the serious, professional look. Unless executed flawlessly, it could work against you. Not many companies would hire Mr Sourface.

We didn’t mean to keep you waiting.

We would like to extend our apologies to candidates who had to wait over two hours because of scheduling mix-ups. I later learned that a few shortlisted candidates withdrew last minute due to lack of presentation material. To make better use of time, the organizer decided to call in candidates scheduled for afternoon session.

It would have been great if we knew of the change of plan but that was not the case. So while they waited diligently for a supposedly expedited session, we were under the impression that we have more time with each candidate. A mix up all in all, but one I absolutely regret nonetheless.

Watch the Team’s page.

I sense a change very soon!