• Jason (unregistered)

    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

  • (cs)

    They should have gone through a job fixer instead.

  • Anon (unregistered)

    Oh god, is this going to descend into another long flame war about whether or not this story was racist?

  • misha (unregistered) in reply to Jason
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

    Possibly a PHB somewhere says "Well they all speak Java, who cares if two of them speak only Punjabi and no one can understand the French guy's accent."

  • sol (unregistered)

    We don't program in Engish so why should we need to speak it lmao

  • SomeCoder (unregistered)

    Rich should have stopped by Chuck's office on the way out, showed him the printed email from Chuck and remind him that explicit instructions to not use the internet or bring a map and then berating someone for following those directions is a sure sign of being a complete asshat.

  • pitchingchris (unregistered)

    exited in first paragraph... hmm... excited ?

  • (cs)

    Agreed on the korean woman story but for not being on time, I blame the writer. I think it's common courtesy that you at least look your future workplace up in a map before you get there. As for "quirky directions", you know, just because the HR guy tells you you don't need any other directions doesn't mean you'll fail the interview if you still use them. There are lots of nice trip planner sites out there where you can type in the adress. Imagine your in the position of Chuck if your interviewee came late and excused himself with "I'm sorry but your directions were crap even though you told me I didn't need others".

  • (cs)

    The Real WTF is that he didn't have "Jeepies" installed in his car and proceeded to drive outside the city. And there is no excuse to not even look up the company in MapQuest or Google Maps and bring a print out of the maps.

  • (cs)

    I know the google ads rotate, but there is something disturbing when I see an ad looking for OTR drivers right above an ad for sleep aids. I would prefer if the truckers out there would not use Lunesta while driving.

    ~SE

  • (cs)

    Maybe the Jeepies would have helped Rich find their office?

  • (cs) in reply to Jason
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

    The ironing is strong in that comment. People get the wrong idea of what is or is not "discriminatory". Not hiring somebody because their accent sucks is perfectly applicable in my opinion. If your job involves communicating with Americans, you'd better be capable of communicating with Americans. I wouldn't take a job as a Japanese Translator, because I don't speak Japanese.

    /But I guess you could always argue that my job requires me to communicate with people who have unintelligible accents, so maybe I need to learn how to do that.

  • (cs)

    Hiring people who have a poor grasp of English is one thing ... having those people interview job candidates is quite another ...

  • Rich Z (unregistered)

    Submitter here. Some creative license with the text by the editor, I did have my own maps along with the given directions (and I didn't go to another state). But that doesn't help you find a building "inside" another. And when I called to double check on these directions, I was passed around to a few different people that all said to "turn at the bank, we're on that road." A logistics company... get it?

  • (cs) in reply to Rich Z
    Rich Z:
    Submitter here. Some creative license with the text by the editor, I did have my own maps along with the given directions (and I didn't go to another state). But that doesn't help you find a building "inside" another. And when I called to double check on these directions, I was passed around to a few different people that all said to "turn at the bank, we're on that road." A logistics company... get it?

    I wonder how many other stories have these inaccuracies introduced due to "creative license" . . .

    It always seems people are saying "oh this part of the story is stupid!" - wouldn't it be funny if that part of the story just wasn't true.

  • T$ (unregistered)

    If someone can have C Pound experience, why not have Jeepies experience as well!?

  • Shadowman (unregistered) in reply to vt_mruhlin
    vt_mruhlin:
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

    The ironing is strong in that comment. People get the wrong idea of what is or is not "discriminatory". Not hiring somebody because their accent sucks is perfectly applicable in my opinion. If your job involves communicating with Americans, you'd better be capable of communicating with Americans. I wouldn't take a job as a Japanese Translator, because I don't speak Japanese.

    The ironing? Is there a wrinkled shirt around here or something?

  • Pat (unregistered)

    They probably wanted him to do everything. Install the GPS units, and interface it with some sort of web interface for their clients...or some other project that would take the effort of 6 engineers working over time.

  • (cs) in reply to Shadowman
    Shadowman:

    The ironing? Is there a wrinkled shirt around here or something?

    Nope, not anymore... the ironing was strong, so all the wrinkles have been removed!

  • Jasmine (unregistered)

    I would take it if the pay was good. It's pretty clear that this is the type of place where anybody with half a brain is at a huge advantage. I would pwn this place in a few weeks.

  • (cs)

    Rich Z for not seriously ripping Chuck a new one when he gave you bad directions and then had the gall to lecture you about punctuality, you hereby receive the "You're a better man than I" award for today.

    have a cookie or something.

  • (cs)

    Coincidentally, I think I contracted Jeepies from a Korean girl once. Thank you penicillin.

  • Code Slave (unregistered)

    An now you've learned a lesson that was explained to me many moons ago.

    When you are interviewing for a job, ALWAYS CASE THE JOINT IN ADVANCE.

    Even if you've been there before - something might have changed.

    Even if your are coming from out of town. Case it an hour before hand.

  • Kinglink (unregistered) in reply to Jason
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

    No the real problem is people who can't talk English to work in their management or HR department.

  • Dax (unregistered) in reply to Code Slave
    Code Slave:
    An now you've learned a lesson that was explained to me many moons ago.

    When you are interviewing for a job, ALWAYS CASE THE JOINT IN ADVANCE.

    Maybe if your interviewing for a "bank job"

  • Schnapple (unregistered) in reply to Code Slave
    Code Slave:
    When you are interviewing for a job, ALWAYS CASE THE JOINT IN ADVANCE.

    Even if you've been there before - something might have changed.

    That's all well and good if you have time but if you're just stealing away from work for an hour you don't have time.

    No, the real thrust to this story is:

    1. The location was out in the country, where Google Maps tends not to help.
    2. The boss was a total dick even though the interviewer had done what they were supposed to and called ahead to say he was running late
    3. The staff was so woefully incompetent that they gave impossible directions, did not want to talk to him once he did call in, and put out a hit for a "PHP Programmer" when they needed "Someone to install GPS units"
  • (cs) in reply to Dax
    Dax:
    Code Slave:
    An now you've learned a lesson that was explained to me many moons ago.

    When you are interviewing for a job, ALWAYS CASE THE JOINT IN ADVANCE.

    Maybe if your interviewing for a "bank job"

    It works equally well for getting a job in the bank's IT department as it does for any other job. ;)

  • (cs) in reply to vt_mruhlin
    vt_mruhlin:
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

    The ironing is strong in that comment. People get the wrong idea of what is or is not "discriminatory". Not hiring somebody because their accent sucks is perfectly applicable in my opinion. If your job involves communicating with Americans, you'd better be capable of communicating with Americans. I wouldn't take a job as a Japanese Translator, because I don't speak Japanese.

    Exactly. To discriminate is to perceive a difference, to distinguish between things. Discrimination on the basis of ability to do the job is a perfectly acceptable hiring practice, and sort of the point of having an interview.

  • Belbarid (unregistered) in reply to Jasmine
    Jasmine:
    I would take it if the pay was good. It's pretty clear that this is the type of place where anybody with half a brain is at a huge advantage. I would pwn this place in a few weeks.

    In the words of Robert Heinlein, "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is in for one hell of a rough ride".

  • (cs)

    At least one thing is clear: they really need those Jeepies. Seeing as how they can't give accurate directions.

  • Mitch (unregistered) in reply to Belbarid
    Belbarid:
    Jasmine:
    I would take it if the pay was good. It's pretty clear that this is the type of place where anybody with half a brain is at a huge advantage. I would pwn this place in a few weeks.

    In the words of Robert Heinlein, "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is in for one hell of a rough ride".

    Seriously. The HR person nor anyone else could describe where the building was. They think its perfectly okay if managers don't speak english. And you're going to convince them you're an IT god how exactly?

  • wiregoat (unregistered)

    Out here where I am in the Midwest, internet maps can be 10 to 20 miles off. That is a big deal down little winding forking one lane roads.

  • sanitarium (unregistered) in reply to PSWorx
    PSWorx:
    Agreed on the korean woman story but for not being on time, I blame the writer. I think it's common courtesy that you at least look your future workplace up in a map before you get there. As for "quirky directions", you know, just because the HR guy tells you you don't need any other directions doesn't mean you'll fail the interview if you still use them. There are lots of nice trip planner sites out there where you can type in the adress. Imagine your in the position of Chuck if your interviewee came late and excused himself with "I'm sorry but your directions were crap even though you told me I didn't need others".
    This sounds like a great trick question for an interview. Give the poor SOB improper directions to some destination and see if he follows your directions or the directions provided by Google or something.
  • : (unregistered)

    I just wonder what did they mean by PHP...

  • (cs) in reply to :
    ::
    I just wonder what did they mean by PHP...

    Phillips-Head Placer?

  • Longtime C guy (unregistered) in reply to Shadowman
    Shadowman:
    vt_mruhlin:
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.

    The ironing is strong in that comment. People get the wrong idea of what is or is not "discriminatory". Not hiring somebody because their accent sucks is perfectly applicable in my opinion. If your job involves communicating with Americans, you'd better be capable of communicating with Americans. I wouldn't take a job as a Japanese Translator, because I don't speak Japanese.

    The ironing? Is there a wrinkled shirt around here or something?

    I think he meant to say, "Iron my short, b!tch."

  • epee1221 (unregistered) in reply to Rich Z

    Heh heh I had an interview like that once. I was told the office was on the thrd floor of the hospital in Hancock (pretty much the only hospital in the county). So I went out to the hospital and looked around, and I didn't find anything like an office. I called the manager and asked him to confirm the location. It turns out it was at the old decommissioned hospital (which had been converted to offices and classrooms).

  • (cs) in reply to epee1221

    Sounds to me like the people there had deep-seated Issues with the fact the company was situated IN the bank building rather than having their own.

  • Kevin T (unregistered)

    I can see this happening. An old co-worker of mine left a tired programming job for what seemed like a perfect one at a company that makes gyro stabilized camera mounts. Only 10% of the job ended up being software, the rest hinged on his ability to interpret and implement engineering blueprints. He didn't end up working there very long (by a mutual parting of ways), and landed in a job far worse than that he'd originally left just to make ends meet for a time. Fortunately this submitter got enough clues to the mismatch during the interview process...

  • someguy (unregistered) in reply to Shadowman

    Let's just say it's delicious, ok?

  • (cs) in reply to epee1221
    epee1221:
    Heh heh I had an interview like that once. I was told the office was on the thrd floor of the hospital in Hancock (pretty much the only hospital in the county). So I went out to the hospital and looked around, and I didn't find anything like an office. I called the manager and asked him to confirm the location. It turns out it was at the old decommissioned hospital (which had been converted to offices and classrooms).

    This would be why they have street names and address numbers.... "Third floor of the Hancock Hospital" "123 Main Street?" "Oh, no. It's the old Hospital, 456 South Ave".

    That and Google satellite/hybrid view and it's hard to go wrong....

  • (cs) in reply to epee1221
    epee1221:
    It turns out it was at the old decommissioned hospital (which had been converted to offices and classrooms).
    It’s off either Exit 6 or 7, I think. Turn left at the end of the ramp, but don’t go left too much yet. Drive for awhile, maybe a few minutes, like 30 miles. You’ll see the old Barnum homestead, but that doesn’t matter unless you've already gone too far. After passing a speed limit sign, turn on the road that used to be unpaved. When you get to an intersection with a house that has the wrong shudders, head uphill. You’ll drive by a flower garden, but it might not be blooming. Take the leftish right at the grove where the teenagers hang out a lot. We’re in the hospital building, sort of, on the 3rd floor, which isn’t the 3rd story. --Rank
  • (cs)

    I really don't get the logic in putting out an ad for a PHP programmer if you want someone to install GPS units in trucks. There's a funny assumption that once you've seen one TLA you've seen them all...

  • rob (unregistered) in reply to vt_mruhlin

    Chances are, she was an American. Not all of them speak English.

    On the other hand, most immigrants I know are far more literate and well-spoken than Americans, so... whatever.

  • (cs) in reply to Schnapple
    Schnapple:
    Code Slave:
    When you are interviewing for a job, ALWAYS CASE THE JOINT IN ADVANCE.

    That's all well and good if you have time but if you're just stealing away from work for an hour you don't have time.

    In the unlikely event that you get a call that says "Can you be here in an hour?", I suppose not casing the joint can be excused.

    However, If you've got so much as a day's notice - you should be able to squeeze casing the joint into your schedule - if not, the job is not really that important to you anyways.

    In the original poster's case it was two hours of their life (there and back). Take your SO for icecream in the Armpit-Midwest town - and kill two birds with one stone.

  • Ed (unregistered)

    On the subject of bad directions:

    years ago when one of my cousins got married in an unfirmiliar town, we needed directions to the wedding reception (this was well before the internet even existed, so it was quite impossible to look up on google maps)

    We called up my aunt, who gave these directions, word for word (I'm not making this up and yes, she was totally serious):

    "Oh, it's easy to get to. First you get on the thruway, then you get off the thruway, then you make a left, then you make a right, and then you're there."

  • (cs) in reply to PSWorx
    PSWorx:
    Agreed on the korean woman story but for not being on time, I blame the writer. I think it's common courtesy that you at least look your future workplace up in a map before you get there. As for "quirky directions", you know, just because the HR guy tells you you don't need any other directions doesn't mean you'll fail the interview if you still use them. There are lots of nice trip planner sites out there where you can type in the adress. Imagine your in the position of Chuck if your interviewee came late and excused himself with "I'm sorry but your directions were crap even though you told me I didn't need others".

    yah, but you don't have to lecture the guy for 40 minutes

  • a/c (unregistered)

    Has anyone considered the possibility that PHP may mean something else entirely in this context?

    I'm reminded of the time I went to the dentist and was told that I had some "calculus" on my teeth. I was sure the dental assistant was a flipping retard and I had to stop myself from laughing.

    Then I went home and found out calculus is a perfectly cromulent word for tartar.

  • (cs) in reply to a/c
    a/c:
    Has anyone considered the possibility that PHP may mean something else entirely in this context?

    With the word "Programmer" after "PHP", what the hell else would it be? Most job ads I've seen also list some idea of the duties and knowledge/skills/certification required too. Ones that don't are usually crap, self descriptive (ie truck driver) or well known (ie pizza delivery, fast food jobs, etc), or some combination of the above (ie crap fast food truck driver).

  • furbearntrout (unregistered) in reply to Jason
    Jason:
    What's the deal with companies hiring people who can't talk english to work in their IT departments? I swear it's to hit some kind of quota.
    It's called H-1B

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