Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Google, Amazon.
These top tech companies each receive over a quadrillion resumes per
year (source needed). So it’s safe to say they have a good process for
choosing the best job candidates. But what is it?
No,
it’s not that list of popular Google interview questions you Googled on
Google. In fact, their finely tuned hiring process goes way beyond
rudimentary queries on algorithms and quantum physics.
If you, too, want to hire the world’s best top tech talent, try one of these secret hiring strategies.
1. Begin phone screens 15 minutes early, 15 minutes late, or not at all
WHY? To find people who are always ready for the job
Anyone
can answer a series of probing questions when you call them at the
expected time. But what happens if you call them when they’re still
sleeping, in Zumba class, or on the toilet? This is how the top tech
companies find people who are ready for the job at any moment.
2. Make the interview schedule as confusing and unpredictable as possible
WHY? To find people who don’t need instructions
Make
sure that neither the interviewers or interviewees have any idea what’s
going to happen during the interview. This is a great indicator of who
will perform best when no one has any clue what’s going on.
3. Make sure something goes wrong during the presentation
WHY? To see how the candidate adjusts to less-than-ideal circumstances
Purposely
set up the candidate’s presentation in a room where the equipment
doesn’t work, which is probably any room. If the candidate is able to
roll with it and doesn’t mind adjusting, then that’s a good sign she’d
be easy to work with. Bonus points are given for candidates who have a
Plan B, Plan C and Plan D, which comes in very handy in the tech world.
4. During the interview, make a ton of incorrect assumptions
WHY? To weed out candidates who are easily annoyed
If
the candidate’s last job was at Twitter, say, “How long were you at
Yahoo!?” Take note of the candidate’s tone when he corrects you. Is he a
jerk about it or does he stay cool? This is how tech companies find out
what a candidate would be like to work with when the shit inevitably
hits the fan.
5. Ask the candidate to solve your own, specific problems
WHY? Because you really need help with this problem
Tech
companies often have candidates solve real problems they are currently
facing. This is a good way to get some free help with those problems.
6. Have the interview frequently move between different rooms
WHY? To find people who are still excited, even when they’re uncomfortable
Never
let your job applicants get comfortable during the interview. This is
how you find people who are uncomfortably excited and also get around
the fact that no conference rooms were available for the entire day.
7. Ask the same questions over and over and over again
WHY? To test consistency
In
the tech world, predictability is a good thing. During the interview,
don’t worry about asking the same question over and over again because
you keep blanking out. This is a great tool for testing the candidate’s
consistency. Candidates should only be wildly inconsistent with their answers when interviewing for senior roles.
8. Conduct dual interviews with a good cop / bad cop vibe
WHY? To find people who can multi-task under pressure
Put
the candidate in the middle of a conference room with interviewers at
both ends of the table. Is the candidate able to simultaneously direct
her attention to both interviewers while sufficiently answering each
question at the same time? Or is she clearly exhausted and wondering why
she even agreed to this interview? This is a great indicator of how the
candidate will perform during a crunch.
9. Ask a question, then start typing very loudly
WHY? To find people who remain focused despite distractions
Ask
the candidate a question. Then, as soon as he starts to answer, start
typing loudly. Apologize and say you’re “listening, just taking notes.”
You could be taking notes, or you could be writing an email to your
estranged father, doesn’t matter. See if the candidate can remain
focused on the question or if he gets lost. This will help you find
candidates who don’t let tiny distractions get in the way of finishing
the job.
10. 3 months later, call and offer the candidate a job she didn’t apply for
WHY? To find people who are determined
This
is a great way to weed out people who obviously didn’t really want the
job in the first place. Does the candidate fight for the job he wanted?
Does he take the offer because he thinks it’s the best he can get? Or
does he turn it down because he already found another job months ago?
This tactic is a good way to suss that out.
*Red Hope: An Earth To Mars Technothriller (Deal, Not Free) by John Dreese. Price: $0.99. Genre: Science Fiction Deal, Sponsor, Space Exploration, Mars. Rated: 4.1 stars on 182 Reviews. 237 pages. ASIN: B00RA7QOHY. Reviewers love it: This was such an edge-of-the seat story when I started, that I couldn’t stop reading! What an engaging read! I zipped through the book in a day because I was interested in how it would end! It moves fast and I was quite surprised at how attached to the characters I became! I really loved it! I don’t think I have ever spent a dollar this well!
*Hard Vacuum by Simon Cantan. Price: Free. Genre: Science Fiction, War & Military, Space Fleet. Rated: 4.2 stars on 27 Reviews. 51 pages. ASIN: B00HELV9VC.
***Undraland by Mary E. Twomey. Price: Free. Genre: Fantasy, Sponsor, Paranormal, Folklore, Fairy Tales. Rated: 4.4 stars on 161 Reviews. 335 pages. ASIN: B00W2EB844. Reviewers love it: I can’t say enough good things about this book! A snarky heroine, intrepid hero and a fun, fast-paced adventure! Lucy, the leading lady, is strong, incredibly entertaining and has the moxie to back it all up! This was not my first read from this author, and I pray it will not be the last! I enjoyed every minute of the book and it was totally worth it!
*Berman’s Wolves (Deal, Not Free) by Gretchen S. B.. Price: $0.99. Genre: Fantasy Deal, Sponsor, Paranormal & Urban Fantasy. Rated: 4.8 stars on 4 Reviews. 278 pages. ASIN: B00JAS1KHK. Reviewers like it: I love werewolves, but this one takes the cake! The writing is excellent and I like the way it was done! I found myself drawn into the paranormal tale from the beginning! So freaky and so good! I would recommend it to fans of riveting paranormal tales! Five paws up!
(Still In Need of a Good Loving Equivalent) Author: Lindsay Marie Miller Genre: NA Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 31, 2016
Blurb
Jessica Jacobs is a twenty-two-year-old finance major at the University of Washington, whose brief encounters with blind dating have left her a single, cynical woman. When her best friend, Sara, gets dumped by the love of her life on Valentine’s Day, Jessie proposes a pact boycotting all men for the rest of the semester. But then Jessie meets Graham, a gorgeous, yet respectable gentleman with the body of a Greek god and a heart of gold. Torn between her commitment to the pact and an undeniable attraction towards Graham, Jessie remains guarded and distant, which only makes Graham want her more. As fate intervenes time and time again, Jessie must embrace the inner fear surrounding her heart or risk losing the only man who would never break it.
Feeling a stich in my side, I slowed to a stop and unzipped my jacket. With my hands on my hips, I took several deep breaths, embracing the sharp burn in my lungs. I loved this time of year, when the snow was at its last days. I enjoyed the cold white sheets of ice, because I knew that they would be gone in no time. Just like everything else.
“Hey, girl!” An SUV full of guys pulled up beside me, the one in the passenger’s seat sticking his head out the window. “What’s your name?” he asked, looking me up and down.
Ignoring him, I turned on my heel and kept walking. But the SUV stayed at my side, slowly skimming the edge of the sidewalk. Warmth flooded my body, along with a mix of fear and unease.
“Hey!” the driver shouted, leaning over the console. “We’re talking to you! Come here!”
They must have been students, like me and Sara. The neighborhood wasn’t far from campus and we knew a handful of people at school who had rented houses here before, out of a dislike for dorms and apartments. If these guys went to UW, I hoped that today would be our first and last encounter.
“Maybe she needs to warm up,” the passenger suggested. “Here, Ice Queen! Have some coffee.” He threw a Starbucks cup out the window at me, despite the fact that the container wasn’t empty.
As I braced myself, steaming hot coffee burst through the lid and splattered all over me. I staggered back and collided with another runner, as we both fell to the ground.
“Yes!” the guys in the SUV cheered. They took off, speeding through the neighborhood, as the passenger stuck his head out the window and rejoiced in celebration.
“Jerks,” the stranger beside me muttered.
Sitting back on my elbow, I looked over at the one thing I hated the most in this world right now. The one thing that had to be here at this moment. A Guy.
“Let me help you up,” he offered, extending his hand for me to take. When we were both on our feet again, he looked at me and smiled. It was the best smile I had ever seen.
Dressed in jogging pants and a sweatshirt, he was the embodiment of everything I had been searching for and now sworn off for good. Tall. Lean. Attractive. His short, curly hair was the darkest shade of brunette, yet not quite black. His eyes were soft and light, his irises somewhere in between blue and gray. My mouth watered at the sight of his chiseled cheekbones, strong jawline, and the slight stubble on his face.
He was my dream guy, but I had given up on dreaming a long time ago. So I did what I had to do. I ran.
“Hey, wait,” he pleaded, grabbing my arm. “Are you okay? I’m sorry about those guys. Don’t worry about them. They’re just jerks.”
I nodded, then looked down at the coffee stains on my clothes. These would be fun to get out, especially since our washing machine was a gadget sent straight from hell.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Thanks.”
With my head down, I stepped back and walked away from him.
Author Bio
LINDSAY MARIE MILLER was born and raised in Tallahassee, FL, where she graduated from high school as Valedictorian. Afterwards, Lindsay attended Florida State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with an English Literature major, Psychology minor, and Specialized Studies in Markets and Institutions.
Lindsay is the author of S.I.N.G.L.E., Jungle Eyes, Me & Mr. Jones, and Emerald Green. An incurable romantic at heart, she enjoys writing about strong heroines and the honorable gentleman who claim their hearts, often utilizing elements of suspense, adventure, or even comedy. While the context of her writing is diverse, one factor always remains at the center of every novel: Love.
Underdog Luke "Single" Singleton is yearning to make a comeback. After getting hit in the neck with a pitch—an injury that nearly cost him his life—he has one last chance to play for his hometown team, the Stockton Beavers. But his mom has Alzheimer's, and he's all she has to depend on. How can he pursue his career, much less someone special?
Personal care aide Roberta Bennett is done dating baseball players. Having had her share of heartbreak, she heads to Stockton hoping for a fresh start. But after she finds Luke’s mom outside, lost, and alone, she can’t refuse when he hires her on the spot. Unbeknownst to Luke, Roberta is all too familiar with the violent tendencies of the pitcher who hit him.
Now that they’re living under the same roof, the last thing either of them is looking for is a relationship. But it’s not long before they find themselves drawn to each other. And right when Luke is thinking about finally making a change to his single status, a secret from Roberta's past emerges with the power to tear them apart.
I try not to stare, but from behind, I can't help but admire how her tiny waist comes in over her hips. Her body's supple, strong. There's nothing delicate about her. The corner of my mouth turns up. She could probably kick my ass, and I don't know why, but I like that.
She tosses me an annoyed glance over her shoulder. "Quit it."
"What?"
"Haven't you ogled my butt enough for one day?"
My cheeks burn again. So she did catch me checking her out on the field. Crap.
She lifts my arm and bends it at the elbow. It would have to be the arm, the one I couldn't move after David Nichols hit me in the neck with the ball. At first, the docs didn't know if I was partially paralyzed or not. Let's just say it was a scary four and a half days before I finally detected any sign of feeling in it.
I gaze up at her. But does she know that?
About the Author
Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.
Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.
She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.
This code works best with Blogger Blogs. Please check it after pasting, and edit as needed or desired. We encourage you to personalize the post to make it unique to your blog.
An Excerpt is included. If using Wordpress free account, please replace the Giveaway code with the Giveaway Link found in the Media Kit.
Maia and the Xifarian Conspiracy
Series: The Lightbound Saga #1
Author: S. G. Basu
Published: January 18th, 2014
Genre: YA Science Fiction Fantasy
Content Warning: Mild Violence
Recommended Age: 13+
Synopsis: She wants out, but destiny has other plans . . .
Thirteen-year-old Maia sets out denying the existence of her turncoat mother and ends up finding out a truth that makes her wish her mother was just that–a treacherous double-crosser she could hate. Because sometimes, knowing a hero can be more terrifying than knowing a villain. And being part of a lofty cause can come at a terrible price.
Three Cylopedes burst into the cave, blinding her with their blazing white lights. A trio of figures alighted from the crafts.
“We finally caught up with you,” Karhann roared.
“And look . . .” There was no mistaking Loriine’s lazy, pampered voice. “The gate is still open for taking.”
The third person did not speak, but Maia knew it was Yoome. The quiet girl had helped them once, but if anyone could help Maia now, it would have to be herself.
“I hope you’re not going to try to stop us,” Karhann said. “You see, there isn’t much point in you fighting all three of us.”
Maia gripped Bellator tightly by the hilt and pulled it out. She had to keep fighting to protect the entrance until the communicators worked again so she could call for help.
“The midget dares to challenge us,” Loriine sneered.
There was a raspy sound of weapons being drawn and cautious footfalls as her opponents stepped closer.
“Are we allowed to fight three to one?” Yoome spoke, forever the voice of hope.
No one replied. Maia tried hard to recall that code of honorable combat, and then figured that it did not matter anyway. For even if she did remember, this bunch was not going to listen to her when they chose to ignore Yoome’s question. She backed up against the half-closed gate, Bellator firmly clutched in her hands. As she stepped away from the glare of the headlights, she could see them more clearly. Loriine stood to the left holding a whip sword, its tip skimming the stone floor. Karhann stood next to Loriine holding a basket-hilt broadsword. On the right stood Yoome, both hands clasping a long, tapered pole that was studded all over with small spikes.
The first blow came from Loriine, surprising Maia a little. The whip sword lashed out like a dragon’s tongue and danced dangerously close to her left arm.
About the Author:
S.G. Basu is an aspiring potentate of a galaxy or two. She plots and plans with wondrous machines, cybernetic robots, time travelers and telekinetic adventurers, some of whom escape into the pages of her books. Books have been an important part of Ms. Basu’s life. Even before she had learned to read on her own, she spent hours wandering in the stories her mother read to her. Soon enough, she was weaving a tapestry of magical tales of her own. Once upon a previous life on planet Earth, S.G. Basu trained to be an engineer, and her interest in science and her love of engineering shows up time and again in her books. She shares her home with a large collection of Legos, a patient husband, and resident inspiration and entertainer, her daughter.
So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain. Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Cover Design: Sara at Okay Creations
Release Date: May 16, 2016
Blurb
Though her father's suicide still lingers in her mind, Alexis must put aside her grief and take on the role as Alpha of her werewolf pack. Her new position also puts her next in line to be Queen of the supernatural kingdom, the Dark Court, which needs to be united more than ever now that mysterious attacks have been terrorizing the town. Too bad the current queen, Samira, would rather lie and murder her way through a power trip than step down quietly.
As Alexis investigates the murders, she learns corruption isn't just Samira's game. Her leadership is questioned by her very own pack, and after a gut-wrenching betrayal, she isn't sure if anything is worth protecting. But when Samira makes one last assault, Alexis is the only one who can end her reign of terror forever...that is...if she can find something worth fighting for.
“Sure, I was already planning on changing a few things around here. For starters I would like to add more guards from different colonies as long as ya’ll don’t oppose,” I said.
I scanned the room for any type of disagreement. Ethan was twirling his hair around his finger, Konrad was digging in his nose, and Liam was staring back at me.
“Alright, so just let me know who you think should ser—” A sneeze stopped me midsentence.
Fuck, I peed again. Wait …. No … not pee.
No one said anything or seemed to notice but I could feel the liquid gushing out and no amount of Kegels or anything else was stopping it.
I motioned for Palo to come closer so I could make a discrete exit and officially check on things. Thadius invited himself over, and stooped down beside me.
“I think my water just broke,” I whispered.
“What!” shouted Thadius.
“What is it? What’s wrong,” said Liam, taking several steps closer.
“Everything’s fi—”
“Alexis’ water broke!” yelled Thadius.
So much for being discrete.
Everyone rushed to my side with the exception of Konrad who was desperately attempting to fish out whatever was lodged in his nasal cavity.
“Girl, I just had that chair reupholstered,” said Ethan. “Get ‘cha ass up so we can get this baby out of you.”
“Call the humans!” yelled Liam, pacing the room.
“No,” I hissed. “I don’t need the humans.” I turned to Palo and breathed through a contraction. “Call Rachel.”
He nodded and ran off in the opposite direction as everyone else closed in on me.
“If it dies, can I eat it?” asked Konrad leaning forward in his seat.
My eyes flashed yellow as our glares fell on him.
“What?” he asked. “It’s goblin custom.”
Ethan shook his head in disgust as I motioned for my other guards. “Get him the fuck out of here,” I growled. “In fact, everybody leave with the exception of Thadius and Ethan, I need ya’ll to help me to my room.
We shuffled down the hall pausing long enough for the freight train disguised as a contraction continued to slam into me over and over again.
Thadius took the initiative to go ahead and pick me up and carry me the rest of the way. Wasting no time, he kicked my bedroom door open and gently placed me in the middle of the bed.
Ethan shook his head again. “Those sheets cost a fortune,” he muttered.
“Really, Ethan!” I shrieked. “Make yourself useful or get out!”
He rolled his eyes and snatched off my leggings. “Let’s just see what’s going on down here.”
His head disappeared for a moment and I immediately felt the urge to push.
“Oh hell na’ll, girl whatever you are doing, STOP. Something is peeking out,” he said, and his ghostly face paled to a nearly transparent hue. “You know what, I’m going to go see what’s going on with your midwife wolf lady.”
I looked over at Thadius and attempted to smile to lighten the mood. The panicked looked on his face made me wonder if he needed more medical attention than I did.
Author Bio
Megan Spann, known under the pen name, M. T. Harrte, is an eclectic blend of sex, sarcasm, and a dash of darkness. Her love of books blossomed at an early age and it has developed into a passion for writing as well. She also writes lighter fiction under the pen name M. L. Spann. She’s definitely one of those people that carries around books in their bag. She adds a touch of sass to her novels by using her southern roots to set the tone.
She spent a great deal of her life moving from state to state with her military family, until finally settling down in Mississippi. Despite graduating from Ole Miss with a business degree and going on to gain a Master’s degree, she has decided to truly follow her heart by pursing a writing career.
I’ve done things I’m ashamed of. I’ve stolen. I’ve lied. I’ve even taken a life or two. But what I have to do next makes all that look like random acts of kindness.
Finding Dee’s murderer trumps all, no matter what the cost, even bonding myself to Hross until death do us part.
Give up Max? Check.
Break his heart? Yeah, that too.
But putting Max’s life in danger was never, ever part of the plan.
I have one chance to make everything right, once and for all. And I only have one shot at it, because what I’m about to do requires the ultimate sacrifice: my life.
Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker, a paranormal and fantasy writer, an avid reader, a thru-hiker, a Penn Stater, and a free thinker. She believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer. And if we live our lives as if it is a daring adventure (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us.
Her books have been described as new age suspense in a fantasy setting, but they are also straight up, steamy Paranormal Romance. The Love and Light Series is currently available at most ebook retailers, as is the Little Flame Series, a spin off focusing on the character Fiamette from the Love and Light world.
She lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute, and a myriad of forest creatures. The nature of her mind dictates that she write to stay sane. Otherwise, her fertile imagination takes off on tangents of its own accord, creating scenarios and worlds that confuse the space-time continuum. Namaste, dear friends.
Publication Date: March 30, 2016 Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
With Charlie back safely from his adventure in Faerie and the Unseelie Realm, Jackie believes she’ll have a chance to relax. However, she quickly finds herself engaged in a quarrel with her overprotective family over what role she should play in the battle that’s brewing between Faerie and the Demon Realm. She wants to be on the front lines, but Garrett and Charlie disagree, suggesting that because she’s a natural healer, her talents would serve the army best if she worked the medical unit. But Jackie has other ideas. Taking matters into her own hands, she gets busy with a new project, enlisting the help of some key friends to train a group of female fae who’ve never once wielded a weapon. With the threat of war breathing down their necks, why shouldn’t all females have a chance to learn to defend their homes, their families and themselves? Happily distracted by her future plans, Jackie lets her guard down, placing herself in danger. Suddenly nothing is as it seems and Jackie is forced to cooperate with the one creature who holds her life and the lives of her family in the palms of her icy hands. Jackie is changed forever, and fears it may put an insurmountable rift between her and her loved ones.
A theatre major in college, Gayle’s spent many joyful hours working as a stage manager, production manager and costume designer for several different New York and California community theatre companies. Working with the Staten Island Children’s Theatre has been her favorite occupation, as she’s enjoyed watching the kids grow from little squirts in the chorus, to talented performers taking on leading roles. Rebirth was her first book, and now that she’s written eleven she can say with all honesty she is having WAY too much fun telling her paranormal stories and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Gayle is the proud mom of two daughters who will always be her greatest gifts. Because they are also huge fans of the genre, they’re keeping her on her toes, editing her work and often telling her that ‘nobody says that anymore.’
From New York Times Bestseller Pepper Winters comes a timeless love story answering the question of what happens when everything is stripped away. "There is a message for everything. From handwritten to verbal, seen and unseen. Messages exist all around us." But what if you don't see? What if you don't understand? What if, by ignoring the message, your life is never the same again? Estelle Evermore morphed from nobody to somebody overnight. Galloway Oak put his past behind him and endeavored to make his fortune using his trade. Two strangers. One plane. Multiple unseen messages. From sky to island, they find neither fame nor skills can save them. Stripped from society and left alone to survive the elements, the very task of staying alive outweighs all other needs. Until survival turns to desire. And desire turns to danger.
Pepper Winters is a NYT and USA Today International Bestseller. She wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex... her books have sex. She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. She's also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestsellers, best BDSM series voted by the SmutClub, and recently signed a two book deal with Grand Central. Her books are currently being translated into numerous languages and will be in bookstores in the near future. To be the first to know of upcoming releases, please join Pepper's Newsletter (she promises never to spam or annoy you.)
