We will interview the employer or how not to quit in the first month
The first working day and ... oh my god, what am I doing here ?! No, well, seriously, who writes code like that?
Friendly team? Did my colleagues even notice that I went to work?
The ancient SVN, the noisy open space and “type of SCRUM”, and this is only a small part of those “pleasant” surprises that you can expect in the first working day.
Common situation?
Probably it was not worth answering "No" to the last question of every second interview. "Alas, it so happened that the interview often resembles a one-sided interrogation, where one side decides whether you are on the way or not. But this is not the case. You are in equal rights and in equal numbers, you have the right to ask questions and it’s not just about VHI, career growth and the tea variety in the kitchen.
At one time, the notorious Joel offered a test that will help determine whether the company is heading for hell. considering that rare company n Aberet 12 out of 12.
But if Joel's test is more of a warm-up check-list to start with, then I offer my selection of questions that will help you understand what is in front of you: a dream company or another lost month / year.
I'm serious. Bring a small piece and ask for an estimate. This is a real working moment that will show the level of your colleagues, as well as their interest in you. If you hear something in the style of "such questions we ask here," congratulations, you just saved yourself a lot of time.
Suppose you have been interviewed and accepted the offer. Your first task: always ask to tell in details what you have to do. This will show not only the state of the backlog of the team, but also how your colleagues can explain your future.
It is worth checking whether you are waiting for Jira, something like this:
Find out if the team conducts a retrospective? Ask for two main problems that were raised last time. What actions have been taken to solve the problems? So you will learn about the level of problems that the team faces and how it solves them.
It is worth to beware here, if the retrospectives are not carried out at all, or you were assured that there are no problems, usually it says just the opposite.
It is likely that your interviewers did not expect such a turn, because usually there are no questions, and then a little more and they will be asked to turn the linked list. Explain to them that you are serious about choosing a future employer and are focused on long-term cooperation, it is also in their interests too.
Finally, you should definitely see your workplace, pay attention to the quality of equipment and furniture, the monitor and chair are very important because you spend 8 hours with them.
Someone may say that this approach is suitable only if you are an architect in the tenth generation, and a beginner should grasp at any opportunity presented. By no means. The first companies in your career are the most important, they will form you as a specialist and in many ways will play a key role in your future career, your task is to get to the “right” place as early as possible.
Why you just can not trust the brand / rating? In medium and large companies, the feeling of work can differ drastically depending on the team, so be unbiased - a well-known brand is not a guarantee that you will like it there.
Love yourself and value your time!
Friendly team? Did my colleagues even notice that I went to work?
The ancient SVN, the noisy open space and “type of SCRUM”, and this is only a small part of those “pleasant” surprises that you can expect in the first working day.
Common situation?
Probably it was not worth answering "No" to the last question of every second interview. "Alas, it so happened that the interview often resembles a one-sided interrogation, where one side decides whether you are on the way or not. But this is not the case. You are in equal rights and in equal numbers, you have the right to ask questions and it’s not just about VHI, career growth and the tea variety in the kitchen.
At one time, the notorious Joel offered a test that will help determine whether the company is heading for hell. considering that rare company n Aberet 12 out of 12.
But if Joel's test is more of a warm-up check-list to start with, then I offer my selection of questions that will help you understand what is in front of you: a dream company or another lost month / year.
Suggest to make a code review
I'm serious. Bring a small piece and ask for an estimate. This is a real working moment that will show the level of your colleagues, as well as their interest in you. If you hear something in the style of "such questions we ask here," congratulations, you just saved yourself a lot of time.
Ask for details about your first task.
Suppose you have been interviewed and accepted the offer. Your first task: always ask to tell in details what you have to do. This will show not only the state of the backlog of the team, but also how your colleagues can explain your future.
It is worth checking whether you are waiting for Jira, something like this:
Retrospective
Find out if the team conducts a retrospective? Ask for two main problems that were raised last time. What actions have been taken to solve the problems? So you will learn about the level of problems that the team faces and how it solves them.
It is worth to beware here, if the retrospectives are not carried out at all, or you were assured that there are no problems, usually it says just the opposite.
It is likely that your interviewers did not expect such a turn, because usually there are no questions, and then a little more and they will be asked to turn the linked list. Explain to them that you are serious about choosing a future employer and are focused on long-term cooperation, it is also in their interests too.
Finally, you should definitely see your workplace, pay attention to the quality of equipment and furniture, the monitor and chair are very important because you spend 8 hours with them.
Someone may say that this approach is suitable only if you are an architect in the tenth generation, and a beginner should grasp at any opportunity presented. By no means. The first companies in your career are the most important, they will form you as a specialist and in many ways will play a key role in your future career, your task is to get to the “right” place as early as possible.
Why you just can not trust the brand / rating? In medium and large companies, the feeling of work can differ drastically depending on the team, so be unbiased - a well-known brand is not a guarantee that you will like it there.
Love yourself and value your time!