[GRLUG] Geek test/job opening

Wed Nov 24 11:32:52 EST 2010

And less time reading the hundreds of resumes that every job post on Monster
gets these days

On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:31 AM, Michael Mol <mikemol at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> --
> >> >>>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> >> >>>>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
> >> >>>>> believed to be clean.
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> _______________________________________________
> >> >>>>> grlug mailing list
> >> >>>>> grlug at grlug.org
> >> >>>>> http://shinobu.grlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/grlug
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> --
> >> >>>> David van Geest
> >> >>>> http://60cycle.net
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> --
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> >> >>>>
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> >> >>>
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> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > :wq
> >> >
> >> > --
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>
> --
> :wq
>
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