> Overall, I don't like multiple choice type questions. NOt for an interview, at least, I generally prefer make people explain why there are answering every thing, ro even draw little, hand written, diagrams.

Martin;

Well stated and I agree. Hearing a person explain how they would solve a problem "under the stress of an interview" will give you a good example of how they react under pressure.

One job interview I went to was interesting. The manager said: "Here is a computer, and I will leave you alone for 20 minutes. I want you to create a database, and a customer table with a form to access and display it. You may not use the wizard"! I never use wizards and 20 minutes later I had the job. I got hired on the spot.

Whenever I have gone to an interview with my lap top computer to give a demo, I have gotten the job, either consulting or full time. My last consulting job was for a California Water Department, and had many functions including accounting, maintenance, human resources just to name a few. Security was down to the object and report level. The reporting portion of the application allows user input (dates, names, etc.) to obtain a required data set for the report. There were dozens of reports and they are table driven. Makes it easy to add additional reports. I used that application to give a demo at my present place of employment.

One of the biggest handicaps I have found is age. I am 58 and in Silicon Valley if you are not 24 you are not with it. I have no problem showing the younger programmers what can be done and how to solve problems. If I have to learn a new language that is fun and I have had to do that recently. Fixing other programmers programs so they work is another thing I am well known for. Just ask the companies and individuals I have bailed out of the frying pan. If you saw a list of my clients (National and International Corporations) and what applications I wrote for them (all in use today) you would know I knew something about programming. Still the age thing bites!

One thing about programming - if it is not fun go find a job somewhere else. Programming can be and should be fun. I only do it to support my family and myself. Otherwise I would just play my flamenco guitar. I play guitar just as soon as I get home - it is my form of stress relief.

When I retire I am going to sell my computers and go back to playing flamenco guitar professionally as I did before I got married 35 years ago.

Tom