Ewan's Corner

Posts Tagged ‘derivco’

Over the years I’ve gathered a bit of experience on both sides of a job interview, so here are some of my suggestions for candidates (including recommended reading) since I often find myself sending these out in response to queries about Derivco.

These are biased towards technical developer type interviews since that’s my area of experience, but I reckon most of them are generally applicable – still, see the disclaimer below and as always caveat lector. I think they’re common sense, but apparently not for some candidates…

1. Find out as much as you can about the position you are applying for, especially if this is not your first interview for the position.
2. Be positive, and show enthusiasm for the position (and the company in general). Nothing worse than a negative, unenthusiastic candidate – we love what we do, so we expect you to do the same. Attitude is important.
3. Try and find as much about the company as you can – Google, Google news, friends or people you may know who already work there… shows enthusiasm and passion.
4. Be honest and open, admit when you don’t know something, or can’t do something (especially important in a technical assessment or code walk through). I’ve seen candidates who refuse to admit something has them baffled – they end up um-ing and ah-ing and annoy the interviewer(s) who have other important things they could be doing.
5. Depends on the position, but perhaps bring a portfolio of previous work (the things you are really proud of achieving). Also feel free to mention previous projects which may have failed overall (e.g. for reasons beyond your control) but which you are still proud of (or proud of a component / idea which was your own).
6. Should go without saying, but you’d be surprised – be a little early, and make sure you’re well rested.
7. ASK questions, as well as answer them.
8. Don’t lie! Mad that I feel it necessary to say this, but I’ve seen candidates tell outright lies or make claims they can’t back up. We will check your working background, and we will catch you out in tech assessments – you’re only hurting yourself here.
9. Dress smart, but not overly so (no suit and tie required – unless that’s your most comfortable gear, or you’re applying for CEO :-)
10. Turn off your cellphone / pager / pda! As unbelievable as it may sound, I have witnessed more than 3 interviewees forget this common courtesy – one of them even answered a call!

Essential reading:
The Guerrilla Guide to Interviewing (Joel on Software, v3)
and if it’s a developer position, so is:
Why Can’t Programmers.. Program? (Coding Horror, Jeff Atwood)

Standard disclaimer: I don’t speak on behalf of Derivco, these are my *personal* comments. Although many of these *may* assist you with interviews for positions here, they also may not – they may not even apply – and in some areas may even ensure you *don’t* get the job :-)

I work here.

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Update July 2006:

Since this post keeps getting around 11% of the recorded 1st entry hits on this blog (according to Google Analytics) I think it’s time for an update, and a FAQ to answer the most common Derivco-related questions I receive.

• Firstly, the website is no longer in the “cheese” category :-) The current Derivco.com website is a huge improvement on the 2003 version.
• Yes, it is a fantastic place to work – I’m not being facetious, it really is a world class company. Brilliant people (plenty of highly intelligent geeks), exciting and ever-changing projects, beautiful location and fun environment.
• Yes, Derivco is hiring in all sorts of areas. See the website for details. I am however biased towards Flash ActionScript developer candidates :-)

Since Derivco’s address is already easy to find, check out the office and surrounding Forest Park via Google Earth [alternate link] (choose to run the linked KMZ file if you have Google Earth installed, and it will fly you directly there). If you don’t have Google Earth installed, then install it (!) – or use Google Maps instead (lower resolution though, and not nearly as fun).

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Update September 2006:

Derivco vacancies / positions are not currently listed on the Derivco.com website, but you can find them via Google or on sites such as Career Junction (search for “derivco”).

Derivco Offers Bursaries

Derivco is offering Bursaries for the 2007 academic year for students studying towards a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics with an average of 75% per subject taken and who will be studying for either their 2nd, 3rd or honours year in 2007.

We are also looking for bursary students who will be studying to their 2nd, 3rd or honours year in the 2007 academic year in the areas below or any other relevant Project Management/ Business related area, with an average mark of at least 65% in the subjects taken.

* BComm IT
* BComm Economics/Finance
* Business Administration

Students who will be studying towards their 2nd, 3rd or honours year in BComm, BA or BSoc Sci in Human Resources Management in 2007 are also invited to apply as we will be offering bursaries in this area as well.

Should you know anyone who would be eligible to apply please contact Vukile (Vukile.McKenzie@derivco.com) or e-mail their CV as well as the most recent copy of their results to bursary@derivco.com.

Please note that you need to be a full time student at a Tertiary Institution in order to take advantage of this offer.

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Update March 2007:

I posted an entry with some of my job interview opinions, experience and suggestions for all those who ask. Use at your own risk: Job Interview Opinions.

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Update September 2007:

Derivco wins IT Company of the Year (KZN) at the Computer Society of South Africa (KZN Chapter) gala event.

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Update August 2008:

Derivco is now a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, and is a platinum sponsor at Tech-Ed 2008. Check out the new Flex derivco.com site.

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Update late August 2008:
Hiring for IT positions is on the go again – Derivco IT is looking for skilled IT people at all levels. Head over to www.derivco.com, email your CV to cv@derivco.com (remember to state what specific or type of position you are applying for) or ask questions here.

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Update November 2008:

Derivco will be hosting a SQL Server Enterprise Architectural Summit in December. Speakers are Stuart Ozer, Gert Drapers and Thomas Kejser (members of the Microsoft SQL Server dev team and of SQLCAT – SQL Customer Advisory Team).
See the Derivco site for details and to apply (only experienced DBAs considered :-)

If you have any general questions, post a comment below and I’ll respond when I can. You can also email me directly if you prefer.

Usual disclaimer yada yada applies – I may love working @ Derivco, but I don’t speak for the company or any of its clients. This blog is my personal scribble area, everything here is from my own viewpoint and is often written by an insane Perl script anyway. I am not responsible for any comments left on this site or post either, so don’t get any funny ideas.