Face to face interview completed

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 18, 2003, 4:20 am

So...at 11am PST, I have a phone interview with a company...the title is Project Engineer....a perm gig, so I a bit nervous, as I had been at my last company for almost 5 years... regardless, I think I am as prepared as I can be. This would be a pretty sweet gig...stock options, good bennies, etc....and hell, though I never thought I would say it...I need to be working..sitting around is fuckin lame.

I just hate all the rigamerrole... my resume is tight, my exp is top-notch, and, lets face it, I am one of a handful of actual American DBAs around (most DBAs are imports on the fancy visas)H1-B?)).

Why am I printing this here? Hell, I print all the trivial shit here...why not? I think that since I don't really have anyone to talk to, aside from my brother and sis-in-law, spurs this need to belch my thoughts upon the general public, as in VV.

This is what it boils down to... I risked everything that I was (barely) holding on to to move out of that shithole. Now, it is time to make my mark (tree, fire hydrant, etc) here in the great NW. Wish me luck, this is actually the job I have been hoping for. )well, sugar-mama-cabana-boy was already taken..

EDIT: Here is the job desc...

Production Analyst/Engineer (PAE) will work to clarify, communicate, analyze,
and resolve any technical issues that a client might have. The PAE will use
strong technical skills, internal and external communication skills,
public-relations skills, and multi-tasking skills to clarify issues with
Internet communications, SQL databases, and litigation support web applications.
The PAE will also coordinate with client Project Managers to maintain clear and
consistent communications with clients via phone and/or email in a professional
manner. The PAE will be responsible for 2nd level engineering support using
analysis and problem solving skills to independently identify, troubleshoot,
document, replicate, and resolve customer issues and escalate complex problems
to development teams when necessary. Occasional off-hour calls. Work history
should include 5 years of application support experience. Any serious candidate
will be ambitious, self-driven, and looking to work in a fast-paced environment.
Must-Have requirements:
· Extensive experience troubleshooting distributed systems (web servers,
distributed application servers etc.)
· Extensive experience working with T-SQL and SQL Server in highly available
environments
· Extensive experience developing and maintaining .Net web applications
· Superb client interaction and communications skills, both written and verbal
· Experience developing component interfaces to relational databases
· Experience with object oriented system analysis and problem solving
· Experience with n-tier architecture
· Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently
· Experience coordinating with client's IT teams
· Experience in the following areas: VB .Net, C#, Microsoft SQL Server, T-SQL,
ADO, COM, DCOM
· Exposure to 10+ T-bytes of data conversion, analysis, and processing in a
production environment

Nice-to-Have Requirements:
· Experience as a valuable member of a dynamic, fast-growing organization
· Prior client support experience with litigation support web applications
· Skilled in object oriented system design and optimization techniques
· Comprehensive experience in development methods, tools, and practices
· Experience with unit test, software integration, and performance testing
· BS or MS in Computer Science

Ramius · Post by **Ramius** » November 18, 2003, 4:36 am

Good luck and remember... make sure if there are cars with flashing lights on the top of them don't mark the tree or fire hydrant. For some reason they don't really like 2 legged creatures doing that.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » November 18, 2003, 4:56 am

eat while you're talking to them.

emmer · Post by **emmer** » November 18, 2003, 5:04 am

and if you get a call on the other line, I say take it

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » November 18, 2003, 6:36 am

yeah make them wait. eating and talking to other people will give them the impression that you're an always on the go, take charge, busy executive type.

Sargeras · Post by **Sargeras** » November 18, 2003, 8:08 am

And if you have to go to the bathroom during the call, go in your pants and let them know. Doing this shows them how serious you are about the job.

Gurm · Post by **Gurm** » November 18, 2003, 9:31 am

"What if, and believe me this is "hypothetical." But what if you were offered some kind of a stock option equity sharing program. Would that do anything for you?"

"I don't know, I guess. Listen, I'm gonna go. It's been really nice talking to both you guys."

"Absolutely, the pleasure's all on this side of the table, trust me."

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » November 18, 2003, 11:14 am

No the best option is to do like Jesse did on the TNT commercials, during the interview, answer your cell phone, and proceed to carry on a conversation with your *dog* or *homie* making sure to use every slang word you can muster. Bonus if you have Eddie Murphy Raw blasting in the background.

Rojer · Post by **Rojer** » November 18, 2003, 12:20 pm

Bonus if you have Eddie Murphy Raw blasting in the background.

Fuck that, get the loudest porn you can possibly find, and then comment on your porn preferences.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » November 18, 2003, 12:25 pm

Good luck man, I'm not sure how many of these "suggestions" I would follow. Just be yourself, you have the experience, if they don't want you it's their loss - remember that

Marb

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » November 18, 2003, 12:46 pm

Bubble Gum. Blow lots of bubbles. pop your gum. Put it under the chair after he interview.

Marbus was himself when he applied for his present position. He wore a halter top and braided his back hair. Very Chic.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 18, 2003, 1:21 pm

Use the Risky Business approach. If they're still on the line after you say that, then you've got a shot.

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » November 18, 2003, 1:30 pm

Good luck Canno. Job searches are teh debil but it seems like you're more than qualified for this one.

/envy Pacific NW
/hate California

Dula Allazaward · Post by **Dula Allazaward** » November 18, 2003, 1:36 pm

Good Luck Cane, not that you need it

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 18, 2003, 2:04 pm

Hahahahhaa!! Great suggestions!! I needed that

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 18, 2003, 4:37 pm

Well, that went pretty damn well!! The guy is going to call my recruiter up to set up an in-person interview!!!

NOTE: I used each and every suggestion here.

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » November 18, 2003, 4:41 pm

Grats Canno!

Ennia · Post by **Ennia** » November 18, 2003, 4:42 pm

Grats! keeping fingers crossed.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » November 18, 2003, 4:50 pm

Ask if they are on drugs
if yes, ask where did they get them and for how much
if told, offer them some for less

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » November 18, 2003, 6:40 pm

Canelek wrote:Well, that went pretty damn well!! The guy is going to call my recruiter up to set up an in-person interview!!!

He is calling your recruiter to set up an interview with you? Cause setting one up with you while he had you on the phone was too hard?

I understand the $$ recruiters need to get, etc. - but that seems weird.

Unless he is calling up your recruiter to have an interview with the recruiter about you - which seems better suited to the phone.

Alas - bureaucracy in motion.

Ramius · Post by **Ramius** » November 18, 2003, 7:59 pm

Sirensa wrote:He is calling your recruiter to set up an interview with you? Cause setting one up with you while he had you on the phone was too hard?

It's in the companys contract with the recruiter. If the recruiter didnt put this in then the recruiters would make no money. It goes to not being able to "steal" away recruits so to speak.

Kwonryu DragonFist · November 18, 2003, 8:11 pm

Gratz Canelek!

CalandraWindrose · Post by **CalandraWindrose** » November 18, 2003, 11:37 pm

I wish I'd had advice like this when I was job interviewing - would have saved me tons of time...wouldn't have had to keep going for those 2nd...3rd...4th...interviews

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 20, 2003, 10:09 pm

Well, I had my in person interview earlier and actually found my way around downtown Portland!! I think the interview went pretty well! Now, more waiting!!

I think I did well answering the questions.... SQL Q's plus situational/resource Q's... The key, I think, was conveying some humor and personality (not easy with the stress!! Gahh!).. We shall see....

Oh, and I almost lost it due to thinking about all the tips, such as crapping myself and bringing lunch... no idea how I kept my composure...

I think all of us have had to go through(or are going through) job hunts(except for Drolgin, who is truly master of his domain and a noted scholar), so it is nice to see all the well-wishes. Thanks!

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » November 21, 2003, 12:37 pm

This is how you should describe your day.

Bob Slydell: If you would, would you walk us through a typical day, for you?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah.
Bob Slydell: Great.
Peter Gibbons: Well, I generally come in at least fifteen minutes late, ah, I use the side door--that way Lumbergh can't see me, heh--after that I sorta space out for an hour.
Bob Porter: Da-uh? Space out?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.