Ever wondered what it could look like if other craftsmen would get the same kind of questioning as developers do when chasing down work?
The Interview
Interviewer: So, you're a carpenter, are you?
Carpenter: That's right, that's what I do.
Interviewer: And how long have you been doing that?
Carpenter: Around fifteen years.
Interviewer: Good, that's good. I have a few technical questions for you to see if you are a fit for our team. Is that okay with you?
Carpenter: Sure, that would be fine.
Interviewer: So we are looking to build a lot of red houses in a country-side area for residential housing, have you built a lot of red houses before?
Carpenter: Well, I am a carpenter, so I do carpentry and have built a lot of houses. The color of the house does not really have anything with how the house is constructed does it?
Interviewer: Okay, I see, but can you give me an idea of how much experience you have with red houses? Just a rough approximation is fine.
Carpenter: Oh I've never really thought about keeping track of that, ahm around one year...
Interviewer: One year? Well, we were really looking for someone with a lot more experience with red houses, but I have some more questions here so let us carry on.
Carpenter: Well, okay, I can't see why the color would matter...
Interviewer: Ok, well... How about pine?
Carpenter: What?
Interviewer: Have you worked much with pinewood?
Carpenter: Sure, all kinds of wood.
Interviewer: But how many years of pine experience do you have so far?
Carpenter: Geez, I'm really not sure, I didn't count.
Interviewer: Ok, well, estimate it for me then.
Carpenter: I'd say I have a year and a half of pine.
Interviewer: Would you consider yourself an entry level pine person or a pine master?
Carpenter: A pine master? What is a pine master? But yes I have used pine.
Interviewer: But are you a pine master?
Carpenter: Well, I'm a carpenter, so I have worked with all kinds of wood...
Interviewer: Yes, yes, but we're using Pine, are you okay with that?
Carpenter: Pine is fine! Whatever you want.
Interviewer: What about black pine?
Carpenter: What about it?
Interviewer: Well we have had some carpenters in here, but come to find out they weren't black pine carpenters. Do you have black pine experience?
Carpenter: Sure...
Interviewer: Okay great! One more thing, we are using sticky glue to erect the houses, have you used sticky glue to erect a house before?
Carpenter: Well.. I've
Interviewer: But other companies are using sticky glue. Are you saying sticky glue does not work?
Carpenter: No, I'm not saying sticky glue doesn't work, it's just that I think screws, nuts and bolts work better.
Interviewer: Well, our architects have all started using sticky glue, and they like it.
Carpenter: Well, I'm sure they do, but i can see some issues with that, and... Look, I need the work, so I'm definitely willing to try sticky glue if you want me to.
Interviewer: OK, well we have a few other candidates to meet in the next few days, so we will give you a call and let you know.
Carpenter: Well, thanks for your time. Nice meeting you.
The Follow Up
Interviewer: Hello?
Carpenter: Hello. Remember me, We met for an interview a few weeks ago, Just thought i would check in to see if you have made a decision.
Interviewer: We have, and thank you for coming in, but we decided to go with someone who has done a lot of work with red. *Carpenter: Really? So I lost the job because I didn't have enough experience with red houses?
Interviewer: Well, it was partly because of that, but we also got the other guy alot cheaper. Carpenter: Really, how much experience does he have with red?
Interviewer: Well, he's not really a carpenter, he's a used car salesman, but he has sold a lot of red cars and we think it will be much better to buy mobile homes.