Monthly Archives: July 2003

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Many interviewers ask this question: “Why did you leave your last job?” It’s reasonable for interviewers to want to know what started you looking for a new job. I expect to hear things like this: “I was looking for more … Continue reading

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Tell Me About Yourself

Some interviewers like to ask open-ended questions, such “Tell me about yourself.” If you ask questions like that, I hope you reconsider; the question is too open-ended for candidates to answer effectively. Instead, first think about what you want to … Continue reading

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Practice Before Interviewing

In Kimberly Blanton’s article, Job search diary: mock interviews build Brian’s confidence, she discusses a few questions and answers that the manager-candidate uses to practice his interviewing skills.Questions you should be ready for include: “Why should I hire you?” “Tell … Continue reading

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More on Realistic Job Descriptions

Take a look at Adam Kalsey’s post on Writing Realistic Job Descriptions. I particularly like this part: “Give people half a chance and they will pre-qualify themselves for a job. No one wants to take the time to send resumes … Continue reading

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Pre-Publication Book Announcement: Hiring Technical People

  Dorset House has announced the pre-publication availability of my book, “Hiring Technical People.” Here’s the blurb: Hiring technical people is one of the most critical and difficult tasks that a manager can undertake. This book takes the guesswork out … Continue reading

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Fire People Who Don’t Work

If you’d like to hire people but you can’t because you have no open reqs, take a good long look at the people you do have. Are any of your staff prima donnas, “indispensable”, or just not doing the work? … Continue reading

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How Strategic or Tactical is This Position?

I interviewed once for a QA Manager job. The position was supposed to run the SEPG and chair the corporate quality improvement team. The position was supposed to hire auditors to assess the organization against the CMM, and hire testers … Continue reading

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How to Describe Product Knowledge and Customer Knowledge

I’ve been working on an article for about a year now, trying to discuss how to decisions about which kinds of testers to hire when. The only good thing about working on an article that long is that I’m finally … Continue reading

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