1. Draw a detailed network diagram showing how you might link the 5000 staff in this building to email, printers, the internet, and file servers.
2. Name every method and parameter of the class java.util.SoObscureNoOneEverUsesIt.
3. How would you recover from a major security breach at your site. Use no more than 2 sentences for your explanation.
4. Write a short program that might be used to monitor a nuclear reactor.
5. etc.

1. What are these gaps on your resume?
2. What has been the most humiliating moment of your existence?
3. You've exaggerated slightly here, haven't you?
4. Tell me about three times you really screwed up.
5. What are your ten greatest weaknesses? And I mean real weaknesses not made up ones like "I'm a bit of a perfectionist."
6. You're coming across as a bit emotional, are you sure you're up to this job?

I have actually shortened the interview by saying well ill have to think about this position and will you know ect.

"dont call me ill call you"

If i suspect the interview is going down hill I shut it down first.

and then shake his hand and walk out. If they ask technical questiond like:

what is a object and a class, then say, dont insult my intellegence, I get up and say thats enough, and storm out.

Like jobs at the Nab, what is a interface and an abstract class.

MC

I can certainly relate to Macca when faced with an "unsatisfying" interview.

In my experience, however, the interview is another world - away from the actual work environment. The interviewer can be difficult during an interview and be pleasant as a work colleague afterwards - or ask questions during the interview that can be entirely irrelevant to the actual job.

The "3 good/bad things about yourself" and "what does this code syntax mean" is generally reserved for junior or graduate positions due (mainly) to a lack of the candidate's experience. A lack of experience is reflected in two ways: your CV and how you handle yourself at the interview.

If you feel that the interview is "not quite right" then set them straight (with manners).

Having been asked the basic questions in the past I usually respond with the likes of: "Oh! Is this a junior role? I'm sorry as there seems to be a misunderstanding."

Once an interview went quite well until the person asked about the "3 strengths and weaknesses". I paused in bewilderment before he chuckled and said "just kidding".

The worst interview I had actually went quite well initially and took over 2 hours (we chatted about other things too). The conversation ended abruptly when it came to the salary.

Now I ask up front. Don't waste my time.

Any one have a job still?

Any one had an interview recently?

No one has said anything for a long time on this site, must not able to afford the internet or dont have a job.

mc

This website is supposed to be about Australian IT jobs yet all we get are the occasional cut 'n paste articles, mostly from some UK site.

You would think that given the current circumstances of the economy that NOW is exactly the time a site like this should be humming with useful information.

Or maybe it all means there is no Australian IT industry?

Actually, just now doing the job application for my own current position. I guess that's the way it is these days.

If you have been reading and posting on this site you would of course realise that the so-called IT Industry ship finally sank during the last recession (2001) along with the quaint notion of a profesional career.

Hang on to your seat-belts for the next five years. This one is going to be the mother of all recessions. Zero capital. Watch out for your superannuation, house, car, marriage, iPhone and lifestyle.

See you all at Centrelink.

Ahhh Centrelink. It can't be that bad. I recall reading some posts a while back from one of our readers who claims to be on Centrelink (UnemployedITer?). He keeps baiting other readers on how he loves his caviar and champagne...

Imagine ... we all meet at Centrelink and then go off and have lunch at the RSL (pot n' parma) before blowing the rest at the TAB.

We can talk about the good ol' days when interest rates were high and you paid top dollar to live next to a toxic, gaseous tip.

I wonder if GreatLeopard/DefLeppard will resort to using his medical degree - of course, all Indians and taxi drivers have at least three masters degrees - but still visit this site? Imagine that! A medic posting on this site.

Perhaps it's just my imagination.

If you thinkt that the market has been bad since 2001 you myst be really belong to the bottom scrap. I'm so sick and tired of all you losers - you do nothing but wining! Unfortunatelly for you, noone is willing to pay you for wining. That is the true (and completelly lagitimite) reason that you are facing hard times. For us who have something to sell and are ready to work for it - the market is still good. Even if unemployment raises to 5 percent (which is still verry low - only you idiots are not educated enough to unerstand this) quality people will still belong to the 95 % that do have a job. The way you sound I think it's completelly in order that you will become unemployed. A good time for the industry to wash out the bad seed.

Laz with confusion of Aussie cricket team and Wain Swan reading economy 101 textbook inflation chapter. Hawkwind with hope for sky falling but really things so bad? Great Wall street bear claim many victim. USA and UK sad story of bad buttocks bite. Obama win white house but wake up scared to bears at front door. Aussie better healths but kangaroo dollar very sick and depress. Smart contractor now earn US greenback.

Next five year market force to seperate man from boy and leopards from lamb. But world still turn sun and moon will rise and sets. Man with wisdom survive crisis emerge strong and wise mans. Attitude 100% for success.

Great Leopard

Code Master

You're all STILL losers and I'm the real winner because I'm nearly a doctor!!! LOSERS LOSERS all of you!

(refer to my previous post)

Ah! So I wasn't imagining things.

Perhaps I should go visit some medical forums (I may have to Google for "The nerve centre of Australian doctor employment") and make random posts about Java code or say "You guys are winners!" etc.

Nah. Doesn't make sense ...

Day when gloomy become medical same day Wain Swan and marshmarlow Rudd make economy professors... or Aussie cricket team beat India under blue moon in sky.

GL

Code Master >=12AM

You have nothing to sell in this country because Australian professionals have been sold out by the Govt. and the Industry, besides IT people can't sell their way out of a wet paper bag, let alone have the technical skill to even start to create a decent corporate application.

The fact is son, I was in the industry for 3 decades and as far as I am concerned the ship sank during 1999. In 2002 I shutdown the company and pulled the plug on these damned agencies.

I never had problems until then; perhaps its idiots like you who are the problem.

Now that the resources boom is almost done and India and China fall into recession, I suppose its the IT Industry and heroes like mmmmmm (imaginative handle) will save the country!

haaaaaagagahaaaaaaaajaja

3 decades in the industry and yet your finding it tough???

I like it how you assume that every one is a young one and your the old wise grandfather. Well here something for you to put in your pipe, I've had 3 times less experience than you, and yet I've never had it better.

My uncle who has had as much experince as you is gainfully employed and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon, in fact most of my contacts whom are in the industry (some longer than you) are doing quite nicely for themselves.

I guess the big thing is that they are not on a forum complaining how the world owes them one.

Enjoy the centrelink line tomorrow guys, I'll be thinking of you when I'm working away on what I love and getting paid bucketloads of cash for it, BTW thanks to my various tax advantages (talk to your accountant, whoops, sorry, maybe that something you should have done 10 years ago), your not going to get very much of what I earn, even if rudd is keen on giving tax dollars out as handouts.

3 decades in the industry and yet your finding it tough???

Seeing that you know everything about the industry, and that age discrimination is rampant in the industry, I do not know why you are surprised.

I like it how you assume that every one is a young one and your the old wise grandfather. Well here something for you to put in your pipe, I've had 3 times less experience than you, and yet I've never had it better.

There is plenty of evidence that everyone over 30 years old has a very hard time, so go teach your grandmother to suck eggs son.

My uncle who has had as much experince as you is gainfully employed and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon, in fact most of my contacts whom are in the industry (some longer than you) are doing quite nicely for themselves.

Heresay - where is your proof?

I guess the big thing is that they are not on a forum complaining how the world owes them one.

Urban myth. Companies have a legal obligation to employ. Conversely the job seekers have a legal obligation to apply for work under the Social Security Act.

...and the rest of your garbage, (eg: the "love" of your work is the classic one) well you will see - love has a habit of biting you in the ass - I put money on that you will not have a job, in say 6-12 months time as we fall into recession. Last time the unemployment rate for ITers got to 12% plus and that was an ACS statistic.

BTW - I am no longer in the Industry. I eventually came to my senses especially re the "I am in love with my career" crap and now at University.

Like Gloomyshoes, I like to come here sometimes just to twist the knife and tell you that you are a God Damned Loser!

Sorry it took me so long to respond, after I read your post Hawkwind I couldn't stop laughing.

Heresay - where is your proof?

Why do I have to prove anything? The fact is that he is doing well, as are most of my other contacts in the industry, take from that what you like.

Urban myth. Companies have a legal obligation to employ. Conversely the job seekers have a legal obligation to apply for work under the Social Security Act.

You go on believing companies are legally obligated to employ people. The fact of the matter is we're not (yes I'm a company director, and yes I employ people). We are obligated to do the following only

- Pay tax

- Ensure no more than 80% of income is from the one source

- Do what's best by our shareholders.

Nothing in my company consitution (and it's pretty standard) says I am legally obligated to employ someone (technically not even a director, they just need to be nominated).

Yes, I love what I do, I'm working in a company which treats me right (well I'd hope so as I am a major shareholder) picking up the slack from guys like yourself who couldn't cut it in the industry, which is ever changing, dinosaurs didn't survive, neither will you.

PS I attend a lot of networking functions, it's now half my job, and I speak to a lot of people, the good companies are not exactly nervious about what's happening, the bad companies and less talanted workers are, it's that simple.

- Do what's best by our shareholders.

Nothing in my company consitution (and it's pretty standard) says I am legally obligated to employ someone (technically not even a director, they just need to be nominated).

I should actually add that being forced to employ someone may actually be bad for our shareholders, in that case it would be illegal.

Many comments more confusions than Aussie cricket 4th test run out. Perhaps many need book for Gloomyshoe MD medicals. But without joking and clown anon correct words and with success attitude. Man of bitter angry heart fail task before begin. Never success without positive attitude difference from win and loss.

Night mates.

GL

Midnight Widsom

Your company will probably end up where mine did during the Dotcom crash. I know 100's of others in the same boat. It was a big surprise for all of us.

I doubt that you are unique in your business model.

Your line of credit will soon dry up, so don't count your chickens.

Maybe, or maybe not, but I do want to ask one thing, what line of credit are you talking about?

I dislike using credit and thus avoid it where ever possible. I only do things which I know I'll be able to pay for. I am in a unique position that usage of one of my products will actually increase during a downturn (yes even in the great depression a there where a few entrepreneurs who became millionaires)

My business model is strong and short of every business in the world going bankrupt I’ll be just fine. Also being in Canberra we are propped up by having two governments based here, thanks to my current business model 50% of my income originates from gov’t which won’t dry up unless Australia stops paying taxes, the other 50% is from private enterprise, which won’t dry up unless private enterprise goes broke, so technically I’ve hedged my bets about 6 ways, plus I have some good USP (speak to a marketing person for explaination).

I also have excellent people working for me, including marketing consultants, business development managers, as well as having access to an excellent sales team.

But don’t worry, this will be the first place I go to if I need to switch to a medical degree.

...you are exactly the type of guy I'd like to hire - just so I could fire you for your atitude

Anon with correctness attitude glasses half full. Hawkwind believe glasses empty and smash on floor. Best attitude always win. Similar India cricket champs and Ponting losses for run outs.

GL

Midnight Philosophers

I am not for hire. Period