If you are an IT person, no matter you’re just a web developer or enterprise architect, you always got bunches of questions and steps during job interview. Recently I discover that’s all bunches of crap! Seriously, you barely able to find the right guy to hire using those stupid steps and tons of tests and idiot questions (at least in Indonesia). I met dozens of developers and IT specialists (at least that’s what they’re claimed) during my work from many big IT companies in my country. During those experiences, most of the time I caught them in a moment where they got no idea with what I’m talking about. Ok, stop there for a moment, first of all, I’m not an IT guru (yet) and I’m also not a successful IT person (again, yet, hopefully), so let just say I’m just a regular guy who live in IT world (mostly as developer). Nothing really that special from me, however, I simply just can’t justify people who claimed themselves as a guru or specialist or simply just said “Hello, I’m a web developer” or “Hello, I’m a senior J2EE developer” but got no idea about ReST or XHTML standard! That’s is so fucking lame!
So, what I’m doing here is based on my daily conversation when I’m talking with those kind of developer regarding what you should ask to them during interview session for hiring a web developer or even Java developer or anything related to web development either enterprise or not.
Question #1
When you enter http://www.wikipedia.com in your web browser, what happened in the back [internet network] so you can view Wikipedia home page?
Smart keywords: HTTP Request & HTTP Response
Average keywords: client, server, web server
Un-necessary keywords: router, IP table with all of inhuman words
Question #2
Is DOCTYPE that important in a HTML page?
Smart answer: YES
Idiotic answer: NO or for some case, YES
Question #3
To send a request, we usually use HTML form, is there any different (programmatically) between Form and Multipart Form?
Smart keywords: Request boundary, ability to send binary data and request parameters
Average answer: Multipart form support file upload, standard form no
Idiotic answer: Both has same functionality or worst, what is Multipart part form? Can you give mean example? (Seriously? You wanna hire this guy?)
Question #4
Which one is the best, XML, JSON or …[what]?
Smart answer: If data structure is complex or data has custom object(s), then XML is good, if it’s simple then JSON is more efficient
Average answer: Depends on client side, JSON is for Javascript, XML for web services
Idiotic answer: What is JSON? or Is JSON part of JQuery? or XML is for Java Beans
Question #5
Talking about web service, which one do you preferred, ReST or SOAP?
Smart answer: SOAP for legacy system, ReST is simpler and more efficient
Average answer: SOAP if you need authentication, ReST if no authentication required (Dude, Google dude! The world is changing!)
Idiotic answer: What is ReST? or What is SOAP? or I got no idea about any of those! or Hmmm, depends on what framework you use! (Seriously, no modern web framework that doesn’t support ReST or SOAP, you’re really need to get out from your cave and see the world! What? Are you an Amish?)
Final Question
What do you think about using open source libraries on your project? Don’t you think it felt cheap that’ll make you less developer?
Smart answer: NO, my life is better and it make me feel joyful to finish the work faster and have time to enjoy a cup of coffee at Starbucks every afternoon! (Hire this guy! You want it! Seriously!)
Average answer: Yeah, for some module, I preferred to code by myself since I love sitting in my desk and coding. Or, Yeah, I simply don’t trust other developer’s work, while I still have time for it, I preferred to do it by myself. (Yeah… Enjoy your overtime bonus if you get any…)
Idiotic answer: Yes, the best way to do the work is by bare hand code! (Enjoy your slow death until your blood sucked till die! And don’t complaint when you’re there!)
Ok, are any of those questions hard? If you think so, then something’s not right with your life! I suggest you change your direction before it’s too late! Seriously!
If most of your interviewees (or employees) answer with average answer, then your company is average or you’re really a cheapskate to hire average developers just because you don’t want to pay better salary! Worst, if your company full with developers with idiotic answer, seriously, change before it’s too late! Your company is not going anywhere good! The world is changing, client will demand better quality per time than just good relationship or nepotism!
Sorry being sarcastic on this, I just can’t justify people who under-estimated a freelancer just because they have “senior” or “specialist” title on their business card while inside they’re just nothing than a bad song in a bumpy road!
