[GRLUG] Geek test/job opening

Michael Mol mikemol at gmail.com
Wed Nov 24 11:31:13 EST 2010


The games as, as part of that 'quirky quiz' represent a set of
practical skills tests, thinking pattern tests, domain knowledge tests
and personality and culture compatibility tests.

The quiz strikes me as a very good approach for screening modern
technologists (if you don't like the word 'geek', try that instead)
for job interviews.

On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:23 AM, Bob Kline <bob.kline at gmail.com> wrote:
> Why the games?  i.e., why not just post
> a realistic job description, including a salary
> range?
> Saying one is looking for a geek might
> bring smiles to the computer community,
> but colloquially it suggests one is looking
> for a social loser who is willing to devote
> his or her life to the cause. And will likely
> wall themselves off from the rest of the
> organization as much as possible in order
> to keep away the demanding, largely
> know-nothing, computer users.  It's not
> an appealing pitch, but then, perhaps things
> have not really changed much in the last
> 30 years.
> We've seen cases of ridiculous job
> descriptions, seemingly looking for someone
> fluent in 50 or more computer languages
> and-or major packages.  If someone has a
> real job, with finite duties and hours, and
> pay commensurate with expectations, why
> not just spell it out.  Knowing the boss is a
> great guy is a plus from the job seeker's
> point of view, but just another factor.
>    -- Bob
>
> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Casey DuBois <grlugcasey at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I can also vouch for Kyle and told him to post this opportunity to the
>> list. For anyone looking for work this may be an excellent opportunity.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Casey DuBois
>> 616-808-6942
>>
>> On Nov 24, 2010, at 9:11 AM, Michael Mol <mikemol at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > I can't say a whole lot without risking violating an NDA, and even
>> > providing this character reference risks putting me in an odd conflict
>> > with my own employer, but I do feel a couple things need to be said.
>> >
>> > I know these folks personally and professionally, and they are some of
>> > the friendliest and polite people I've ever met, and Kyle is one of
>> > the enthusiastic, driven and cleverest people I've ever met. I suspect
>> > he is smarter and has a higher capability for learning than I have or
>> > will have.
>> >
>> > I personally think it would be foolish for anyone on this list to give
>> > a blanket pass on the opportunity without at least trying for an
>> > interview.
>> >
>> > On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 8:27 AM, Matt Michielsen
>> > <mattmichielsen at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> My favorite from their images directory was this one:
>> >> http://virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/images/customform.jpg-6-21-2006
>> >> Reminds me of the geocities days.
>> >> I didn't look at their test or whatever though.  I have a hard time
>> >> wanting to put any time toward a company that I can't find any real history
>> >> on.  I guess if I were looking for a job it might be a different story.
>> >>
>> >> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 8:20 PM, Bill Littlejohn <billl at mtd-inc.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Not only that..
>> >>>
>> >>> billl at phoenix:~$ whois virtualinterconnectsoftware.com
>> >>>
>> >>>   Domain Name: VIRTUALINTERCONNECTSOFTWARE.COM
>> >>>   Registrar: EASYDNS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
>> >>>   Whois Server: whois.easydns.com
>> >>>   Referral URL: http://www.easydns.com
>> >>>   Name Server: NS1.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM
>> >>>   Name Server: NS2.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM
>> >>>   Status: clientTransferProhibited
>> >>>   Status: clientUpdateProhibited
>> >>>   Updated Date: 16-nov-2010
>> >>>   Creation Date: 16-nov-2010
>> >>>   Expiration Date: 16-nov-2011
>> >>>
>> >>>>>> Last update of whois database: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:16:46 UTC <<<
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 5:19 PM, David van Geest
>> >>> <david.vangeest at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>>> Let me guess.... first task for the new employee will be to write the
>> >>>> company's website :-).
>> >>>>
>> >>>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 2:31 PM,
>> >>>>  <kyle at virtualinterconnectsoftware.com> wrote:
>> >>>>> Hi everyone,
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> We have a job opening for a programmer/system administrator
>> >>>>> position, and
>> >>>>> built a bit of a geek test to check for some of the skills we're
>> >>>>> looking
>> >>>>> for:
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> http://geektest.virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> You can take the test semi-anonymously without applying for the job
>> >>>>> - when
>> >>>>> you get to the end, it lets you choose whether you want to apply or
>> >>>>> not.
>> >>>>> Minimal information is required (first name, e-mail, a bit more if
>> >>>>> you want
>> >>>>> to apply for the job), and you're required to post your score to the
>> >>>>> high
>> >>>>> score list under a three-letter handle of your choosing.  It's
>> >>>>> designed as
>> >>>>> a bit of a game, and some basic hacking is encouraged (see the rules
>> >>>>> for
>> >>>>> details).  Whether or not you want the job, go ahead and try it,
>> >>>>> even just
>> >>>>> to see how well you do!
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> If you're interested in the job, we're looking for a really geeky
>> >>>>> person
>> >>>>> to help us:
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> - write software, mainly in PHP/HTML/CSS/JavaScript
>> >>>>> - administrate networks, servers, computers, systems, and other
>> >>>>> electronic
>> >>>>> dohickeys with blinky lights and fans
>> >>>>> - secure data and prevent hacking attempts
>> >>>>> - act as on-call systems administration relief at odd hours if
>> >>>>> needed
>> >>>>> (which isn't often)
>> >>>>> - connect/fix printers and cell phones (the glamorous part of the
>> >>>>> job - in
>> >>>>> all seriousness, this should be fairly rare)
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Ideally, someone who:
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> - knows how to program reasonably well
>> >>>>> - has experience with Linux (you are on a Linux mailing list,
>> >>>>> right?)
>> >>>>> - knows a thing or two about encryption
>> >>>>> - can show up for work bathed and in clean clothes
>> >>>>> - keeps their cables neat and organized
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Good luck!
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Warm Regards,
>> >>>>> Kyle Maas
>> >>>>> Virtual Interconnect Software, LLC
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> --
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>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> --
>> >>>> David van Geest
>> >>>> http://60cycle.net
>> >>>>
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