Comments on: The Dumbest Interview Question http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/ { on programming and the internets, every monday } Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:39:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Doug http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-2528 Doug Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:28:40 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-2528 I have been asked this question many times in interviews. I used to go the "strength-as-a-weakness fake-out" route but in the last interview I did, I candidly described some areas I thought I could improve in and how I planned to do so. Who knows what the interviewer was looking for but I got the gig... I have been asked this question many times in interviews. I used to go the “strength-as-a-weakness fake-out” route but in the last interview I did, I candidly described some areas I thought I could improve in and how I planned to do so. Who knows what the interviewer was looking for but I got the gig…

]]> By: Allan http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1625 Allan Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:48:32 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-1625 actually, from what I see, some characteristics can be revealed just by asking 'inane' questions. For example: Your answer might mean you cannot tolerate amateurish arrogance.. Or you are just a prick. (i think it's the former, though) My point is these kind of questions are some kind of bait that will reveal something, and the interviewer is bound to see it (well, smart interviewers). actually, from what I see, some characteristics can be revealed just by asking ‘inane’ questions.

For example: Your answer might mean you cannot tolerate amateurish arrogance.. Or you are just a prick. (i think it’s the former, though)

My point is these kind of questions are some kind of bait that will reveal something, and the interviewer is bound to see it (well, smart interviewers).

]]> By: Sean Tierney http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1493 Sean Tierney Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:50:43 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-1493 this reminds me of the paradoxical question: "Will your answer to my question be no?" you can't win with either response so do the mating dance or move on to the next interview. this reminds me of the paradoxical question:

“Will your answer to my question be no?”

you can’t win with either response so do the mating dance or move on to the next interview.

]]> By: Reader http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1479 Reader Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:28:41 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-1479 The point of the question is for you to to actually describe a weakness, that is to show if you're full of shit and will do some lame as shit with "something that's a weakness but really isn't." It's about how insightful you are, and how confident you are, and as someone else said, how mature you are. I usually don't ask this question when I interview, but given this blog maybe I should start. The point of the question is for you to to actually describe a weakness, that is to show if you’re full of shit and will do some lame as shit with “something that’s a weakness but really isn’t.” It’s about how insightful you are, and how confident you are, and as someone else said, how mature you are.
I usually don’t ask this question when I interview, but given this blog maybe I should start.

]]> By: Todd http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1478 Todd Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:16:35 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-1478 Experience has taught me that there are many aspects of my profession. Wisdom has taught me that programming is not the only one that matters. Humility has taught me that I am not equally strong in all of them. Confidence gives me the ability to be honest with myself about this. Maturity allows me to be open with others about it. One may answer this question without saying anything meaningful, but that says more about the responder than the interviewer. It is not a bad question that can potentially draw out a candidate's experience, wisdom, humility, confidence, and maturity all at once. Experience has taught me that there are many aspects of my profession. Wisdom has taught me that programming is not the only one that matters. Humility has taught me that I am not equally strong in all of them. Confidence gives me the ability to be honest with myself about this. Maturity allows me to be open with others about it.

One may answer this question without saying anything meaningful, but that says more about the responder than the interviewer.

It is not a bad question that can potentially draw out a candidate’s experience, wisdom, humility, confidence, and maturity all at once.

]]> By: gilltots http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1477 gilltots Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:16:07 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-1477 you should have just said "bullets." you should have just said “bullets.”

]]> By: Paco http://lbrandy.com/blog/2008/12/the-dumbest-interview-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1475 Paco Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:37:51 +0000 http://lbrandy.com/blog/?p=366#comment-1475 The question is "Can you give a tactical and correct answer to a difficult and annoying question?" You failed. The question is “Can you give a tactical and correct answer to a difficult and annoying question?”

You failed.

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