I still remember my first interview by Exxon. I was so nervous, that when the interviewer asked me about my team working skills, and I went like

“oh yeah, it is great! I worked in many teams and all went well.

we made great progress”.

I was embarrassed by how nervous I got, but thankfully that never happened again in any interviews.

*******************************

I hate recruitment agencies!

What could have been an easy transition from being made redundant to finding new work in a short period of time turned out to be a long saga filled with pain and hope.

Recruitment agencies wasted a lot of my time.

********

Most of the agencies would probably rank lower than car salesmen, or estate agents. If you are looking for contract work, they might try to get around you and ask for references upfront. And they just want dev references. Why? So that they can throw your CV in the bin and chase after other more suitable or experienced candidates who might be working currently.

**********

Job interviews cost a fortune over time. I’ve spent over £350 in a month in travelling around London (where I live, no, I don’t travel from some exotic location by the sea or with a river stream and detached houses with gardens and greenhouse) and Surrey, and having coffee/lunch before the interview. I never realised while being out of work how expensive food and travel was. Travelling in London costs £4-6 (£15-20 for Surrey), add Starbucks for £2.8-3.50, and a sandwich for £4, and maybe a drink for £3. All this skyrockets the total bill at the end of the month.

******************

Agencies can’t readily tell from your CV how much experience you have in each of the skill, even if its just C#. I always say 2 years while my CV indicates less commercial experience. They don’t seem to rely on their reading skills. As one of the agency told me, “I just typed Ruby on Rails, and your CV popped up. So tell me, how much commercial experience do you have?”

**********************

With the job interviews mostly centering around C# and Java – one can only wonder how much it messes with the head. Working with the core part of the code is easy as they are similar, but setting up and configuring IIS, Axis, Tomcat, learning Spring, JUnit, RhinoMocks, etc… is “hell”. It is like asking designer if they are fully comfortable with most of the major imaging products in the market. Working with both of them (C# and Java) simultaneously and preparing for both with different frameworks and their Enterprise libraries puts me at a great disadvantage for companies (99.99% of them) that want a person highly knowledgeable in one language and skill set. Generalisation in languages as major as C# and Java is not recommended unless you’ve specialised and keep up to date with both of them with is near impossible to do with good level of depth.

At least in Agile I know the basic concepts and commonly used software for MVC, TDD, and CI which might help me to some extent as they are usually the main focus for interviews rather than specialised questions for each language.

********************************

Over 99.9% of online posts at cwjobs and jobserve (the 2 main sites for it jobs – monster and reeds don’t compare) are by agencies. Many agencies repeat the same posting drowning others out. Interestingly I got most of my calls from agencies I didn’t apply to. Some such as MA Associates post a lot of jobs which seem close to too good to be true.

Agents are not always genuine. Many try to trick people. They explain to you that they will proactively forward your CVs as they have “lots” of companies in the list and call you back with “lots” of interviews. But they want to know where your CV has been currently sent so they don’t resend it. If you tell them the companies – expect extra competition for the job as now depending on the company, there are more agents added to their list from whom they will hire candidates. Agents can always check up if the CV has already been forwarded.

Two fanstastic agencies even had weirder propositions. One asked me to send the names of the managers I had interviews with. While the other one had auto-email sent out to candidates starting with “Rather than disturb you with a phone call, I am emailing you, please fill out the form below” which asked for companies currently applied to.

Some just send out automated emails such as I did to enquire about a job. Here is one:

Automated email from Ann Jones of Langley James

“_____________,

We have received your cv/details and rather than disturb you by telephone could you please let us know the following information by email, so that we can inform you of appropriate positions that we have. If you would like to check out our vacancies for yourself please visit our website www.langleyjames.net.

What type of Position (Contract or Permanent or Both)?

What is your present salary/hourly rate?

What annual salary are you looking for?

What hourly rate are you looking for?

What notice period are you required to give?

What would your preferred job be?

What is your preferred location?

Have got your own transport?

To help us locate you on our system, what is your

Postal Code?

Date of Birth?

Please let us know if you would like us to proactively market you to the extensive list of clients we have in your area. This will attract more suitable vacancies for you, and allow you to get an idea of what opportunities are currently in the marketplace. It will involve you taking an online technical test of your choice, and can be completely anonymous if required.

To assist us with our advertising please could you let us know two Internet sites/job boards you use while job hunting?

If you are not presently seeking a new job please let us know your current salary, so that we can inform you, from time to time by email of unusual opportunities that may be interest to you.

Regards

Ann Jones

Langley James Limited

“

****************

I usually tell agencies I am not interested in gambling industry. One agency asked me why, and was wasting more than 10 minutes trying to convince me Lehman brothers and large investment bank are even worse, so gambling should be fine for me to apply to. I find it hard to find professional agencies but there are a few which I encountered and none that I would recommend.

I always lie by saying I’ve been active for just 3 days and no interviews have been scheduled so far, otherwise, the next questions is always – what companies?

But there are some honest agents. Given the handful that exist, I think having is list is essential. I found the following agencies/people trustworthy (but if you get turned down from any of the opportunities they forward you to, forget them forwarding your CV anywhere further):

Jon Sheehan

Tony from Hurst

Andrew from RedRock Consulting

Amie Peet from Progressive

Some of the fantastically horrible companies and people:

Adam Gregory of TechNetIT – trying to get the list of companies that are hiring -

He even told me that he has positions in major investment banks such as Lehman

bros (after it had become bankrupt) and other bank (which were in fact laying off people right and left)

“

Hi _________,

Thanks for your time today

As discussed earlier, if you can please forward me the names of the people who are due to conduct the interview with you at _____

If you can also include the details for ___ and ___

If you can include the following details;

Name of company:

Location of company:

Job role:

Salary:

Name of manager you are due to see:

Thanks again ________,

“

*************************

Madison Black seems fine as an agency, but when talking to a person there, our conversation was:

Him: “How long ago did you apply?”

Me: “It’s been a week”

Him: “Bloody Hell!”

They seem to have their own standards of professionalism.

****************************

When searching for jobs, your encounter some amazing job descriptions. The most amazing one was:

“

Java Graduate Developer/Programmer/Software Engineer – North London

Peoples IT are pleased to once again be recruiting for this leading IT/Software Firm. They are well known and renowned within industry (not no Mickey Mouse company or start up but a truly established market leader). A GREAT NAME TO PUT ON YOUR CV!

They urgently require two Java Graduates to join this well experienced Software Development team. You will be offered a proven Graduate Training Scheme and the client will offer full training for you to become a fully fledged Java Software Engineer / Programmer. Don’t worry you will not be thrown into the deep end – you will receive all the training you need!

They only employ the best! So you will have a 2.1 or 1st in an IT related degree eg Software Engineering, Computer Science, Business Information Systems. Good A Levels will also strengthen your application. You will also have some programming experiences in Java. Any knowledge or experience of C++ / VC++, Oracle, SQL, J2EE, Servlets, Swing and or any other Programming experiences.

The role is based in North London and is commutable from St Albans, Hertfordshire, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, Amersham, Bucks, Borehamwood, Barnet, Cambridge and many more!

They offer a competitive salary with an excellent benefits package not forgetting the GRADUATE TRAINING SCHEME!

Keywords / Keyskills: Java Programmer, Java Developer, Java Software Engineer, Java Graduate, J2EE, Servlets, JSP, Ajax, JDBC, Swing, Appletts, Java Beans

North London

KP/10197

“

It has wrong grammar, it seems more like a sales call, and uses what I presume are common terms used in recruitment like “Mickey Mouse company”, and new technology called Appletts, probably created by People’s IT Recruitment themselves.

*********************

Similarly Aston Carter seems to post a lot of jobs that offer grads 45k+ – either that, or

they post their job specs incorrectly.

**************************

Selby Jennings calls me every 2-3 weeks finding out how I am, and what I’m doing, and on a side what companies I applied to so that they can continue to proactively search jobs for me without any duplications. Here is a made up company I told them about and was hounded by them for the managers name:

“

_____,

Please could you let me know who you interviewed with at Blackhurst so that we can proceed with your application.

Many thanks.

Regards,

Jurate Karciauskaite | Consultant

“

And 3 weeks later,

“

Dear _____

I have just tried to contact you as we are currently recruiting for several new positions that I believe would be suitable for you. I want to clarify if you are still considering other opportunities at present and also if you have spoken to anyone at all or interviewed with anyone since we last spoke?

Regards

Daniel Steven

“

Same pattern – a lot of interest in if I’ve spoken to anyone at all and interviewed with anyone? Isn’t that information like gold now? Maybe I should put up a price on such information if they want to buy it. When he did call me again the next day, initially he was very enthusiastic about the non-existent opportunities he wanted to offer me but did not want to duplicate sending out my CVs thus really wanted the name of people and the companies I am applying to. Seeing I wasn’t going to give away the company names, he said he’ll call me shortly with a list of companies which he never did. Avoid them at all costs!

Here is what someone wrote about them

“Some people here reported that Selby Jennings helped them launched jobs successfully. However, the way Selby Jennings dealing with candidates is very dodgy. I personally think they are the dodgiest HH that I have ever worked with/heard of.

They usually call you and start with “I have got a new role for you…before we talked about that role, I’d like to know how your search is going on, which groups you have interviewed…any more? I don’t want to duplicate my work “blah blah. Then they will tell you, they will call you again very soon after shortlisting a list of positions – they forgot the bogus position they mentioned at the begining of the conversation.

They will call you again, but not shortly, maybe in a couple of weeks time, or several months time, to collect the hiring managers name again.

Who the hell created this firm and who is running this firm right now? Hasn’t he/she realised how terrible the firm is?

“

I replied to Daniel saying I had interviews with many firms, but would like him to still forward my CV. He called me the next morning and was very pushy in trying to get information about my interviews, and as soon as he realised that I won’t give in, he said someone will contact me about the roles…. no word from them after that.

Or

Nick Causer from Next Venture who also calls every 2-3 weeks for the same exact reason:

First he emails:

“

Hi ____,

I hope you are well. Please can you call me regarding your CV.

My number is ____________

Kind Regards

Nick causer

“

When I did spend my valuable mobile minutes (it’s easy to gobble up all the free minute for job hunting), he talked about a company that is Microsoft Gold Partner great career progression, high salary… all this entertainment because I told him that I had an application at a law firm. As soon as I told him that I can’t tell the company name, his next line was “I will talk to my colleagues for suitable role for you”

Or someone at Aston Carter:

“ ____,

The role I was discussing with your earlier is with ______. Have you already been but forward for a position here?

Also, do you have the spec/details for ________, please could you send me them?

Regards,

“

************************

What do you call an agent that lists a job, and you apply to the job to get an automated reply:

“

I am currently out of the office returning on Thursday 30th October 2008.

If your query is urgent then please contact Chloe O'Neill on 01737 236723 or chloe.oneill@volteurope.com. Alternatively, I will respond to your mail upon my return.

Kind Regards

Dee Parmar
Lead Delivery Consultant
VOLT Europe (UK)

“

***********************

The worst was probably with Phil Jones of MA Associates. I’ve seen lots of listings by MA Associates and applied to a few. A few weeks later they finally seemed to show interest. I met with Phil who promised to forward my CV to A, B and C. He also tried to get companies where I have my CV forwarded(guess why? ). I gave him a random company with a random person in it.

A week after he was supposed to forward the CV I contacted company A to find out if they got my CV and interestingly, they hadn’t. I immediately applied directly. Phil contacted me 2 days later via email

“Could you give me a ring at some point please? I have some feedback regarding the roles we discussed when I met with you last week.

On the issue, do you happen to know anyone else who is looking for a new job at the moment? Possibly from your old team at Thoughtworks? I’m looking for good .Net developers. If you know of anyone could you give me their details please? We run a pretty sweet candidate referral system here at MA. Should we successfully place anyone you refer we will reward you with between £250 and £1000 depending on starting salary.

Speak to you soon

“

So he wanted to know the companies I had applied to as well as the people who I’ve worked with. Why don’t I just open up my own agency and cut MA Associates out of the loop?

I applied to company A, got an interview scheduled for the next day.

**********

There are far too many job postings that go like:

“

Are you stuck in a catch 22 situation i.e. want to get into the financial services arena but your lack of experience within the industry is preventing you from entering it? Then this could be your lucky break!

Our client is the world’s most prestigious investment bank. We are seeking five C# / .NET Developer to work on the design and development of a Greenfield .NET / C# banking application. .NET Developer applicants should have a skill set that encompasses some or all of the following (full training will be provided to fill any gaps in your skill set): .NET, ASP.NET, C#, XML, JavaScript, CSS, HTML and SQL Server. We are keen to hear from candidates with any knowledge of: Agile, XP, Commerce Server, MS CMS, BizTalk or SharePoint / MOSS 2007. No previous banking experience is required.

“

If you call them up, they have this top secret client, who no matter what you change your name, experience, etc… so that it seems that the job description is basically your CV – you would not get any response. The client does not exist!

****************

Interviews are a great opportunity to learn the academic side of things. You might not remember the difference between a const, readonly and a final, but if you encounter enough questions in interviews, in no time you’ll start acing them. Especially questions such as – name all the six validators that ASP.NET uses?

Only 2 companies had interviews which had practical questions and I pursued one of those company’s offer!

I would probably “seduce” the agency in the future to tell me the company name before telling them that my CV has already been forwarded there so they don’t have to reapply (except the ones I trust), and apply myself.

In the whole process, one of the company offices was impossible to find with no access to the building from a road, but rather from a garden. Running around for 45 mins with a laptop and the 1500 page book is not fun, and finally arriving exhausted to an interview, I answered most of the questions as “I don’t know” as my brain had locked up by then.

No all interviewers are the same. I’ve never had good luck when a South Asian is interviewing me. Chinese, African, White Caucasian are all good, but no South Asian. With time this has grown into a superstition and seems to be true till now, and has been tested repeatedly.

Some interviewers tend to be rude, and the only reason I continue sitting is that they might ask questions which might be asked at my other interviews. One of them went:

They: “What is refactoring?”

Me: “When you clean up the code, remove technical debt, pain points or improve the code workings”

“What would happen to the tests?”

“What do you mean?”

“All the tests, what happens to them?”

“Well depending on how you refactored, they should pass, but could possibly have a series of tests that fail”

“No”

“No?”

“No, the business logic stays the same. Don’t you know that?”, and other interviewer lets out a laugh.

“But if you condensed a function from lets say 3 different places into one as they were violating the DRY principle, then the call, or the function that is mocked might throw back an error, and even fail.”

There was a short odd silence. The interviewer never recovered after this point, and it was cut from a 2 hour interview to a 1 hour interview, and got a rejection call via the agency 10 minutes after leaving the interview.

********************

I’ve had multiple interviewers where one was continuously yawning, and left the room at the end of the interview. The yawning person came back a minute later and said

“Oh, sorry. I forgot. Did you have any questions?”

That interview was supposed to be 90 mins but turned into a 180 mins one. The first 30 mins were spent waiting, as they had scheduled multiple people at the same time. That followed multiple tests that were going to take 90 minutes to do, and 60 mins interview.

The company was hoping to pay someone with 8 years experience what he’d be getting with 2 years experience. When I asked the agency why they sent me there, she said that she told the company that a suitable match that would accept the offer would be extremely hard to find with the salary they are offering.

***************

Even though I prefer C# over Java (purely for commercial reasons), some companies I realised only use products from Microsoft (perhaps to maintain their Microsoft Gold Partner). That would mean using VSS, and testing, and tools only developed by Microsoft while discarding the open source and more commonly used products. This has similar problems about Language Specialisation which Jay Fields mentioned but on a more extreme level.

The interviewer said, “We don’t use non-Microsoft developed products. We reply only on Microsoft and contribute directly to their software development.”

************************

It has been a huge learning curve in the past 8 weeks including lot of time wasted because of agencies, I’ve become sort of an expert in my knowledge about agencies. Avoid them as much as possible, they (95%) lie, try to cheat you out of information and don’t care about you! Most are just salesmen trying to earn a quick buck, and many will drop out. It’s a vicious industry.

I’ve spent a bit too much time researching agencies. I could even write a more serious book on job hunting tips and tricks that go beyond giving traditional advice which is what most career advisors, workshops or outplacement services could give you.

I resolve not to leave my next company, and if time turns out to be cyclical, not to be stuck like I was recently!