Way back in the primeval swamps of computing -1976
I went for my first job interview as a trainee operator for ICL computers, what was endearingly known as the IBM of UK computing. (a part of fujitsu now.)
Interviewed by a senior op. Sailed through, final wrap, "Is there anything you'd like to ask us?"
"What is the career path from this job to managing director"

Left about 2 minutes later.
(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 15:28, 18 replies)

A few years later
In Aberdeen, having started working in the, for me, unlikely role of IT sales.

"Why should we buy these terminals from you?"

"Well, there are a lot of cowboy outfits out there trying to sell you stuff and they don't even understand what they are selling"

"I happen to admire cowboys"

This is when my brain engaged and I clicked the Texan drawl, the cowboy boots on the desk and the Stetson tipped back on this oil driller's head.

I'll get my coat....
(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 15:31, closed)

I think the cowboy admirer was hitting on you.

(Roger McGough-Pipe, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 15:48, closed)

Well I happen to admire shepherds, but I wouldn't hire one to design and build a theatre.
(Unless it was Edward Shepherd.)
(eViLegion Chief Commissioner of the Scottish Lunacy Board, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 16:14, closed)

Yeah ... you didn't sail through. You just didn't get the job and you're still trying to excuse your failure forty years later.

(yo man river INVINCIBLE, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 16:40, closed)

or otherwise, might just be an anecdote. You know, like on QOTW.

( rofl harris, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 17:02, closed)

Nice
Sorry, I don't think so, I had written my first computer program 6 years before on ICL kit whilst at school, so my cv will have been near the top for such a position....

I'm afraid it was pure hubris, and I did get the other side from a friend who'd put me up for it. I was a dick, pure and simple.
J
(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Tue 16 Jun 2015, 19:01, closed)

You wrote a computer program at school?
I'm really surprised they let someone like you slip through their fingers.
(Baggenfrock get fucked, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 0:00, closed)

I made a 'turtle' move round the floor by typing commands into LOGO back in 1994, giz a job

( drimble he'd been white, he'd been black, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 1:59, closed)

forward thinking head teacher
It was 1970, we had a teletype with paper tape and a dialup to Queens University Belfast (ICL 1906, OS George 3). We wrote in qubal (QUB Algol). Wrote the code, typed it to paper tape, all uploaded from paper tape at 5pm, batch compile and run overnight, listings couriered to school for following day. I should say happy days, but really I much prefer today with instant gratification edit, and interpretive code, roll your own virtual services, etc etc. Probably quite good 'try and get it right first time' training with 24 hr delay for a typo.
J
(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 2:43, closed)

oooh that sounds familiar!
I remember writing code by hand onto paper forms, which would then be sent off to Brighton Polytechnic (as was). A week later we'd get back a stack of punched cards and a printout of the results - which usually told us that they person copying the characters on the form onto the cards had pressed a wrong key.
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 14:06, closed)

Yeah ... you were perfect and they passed you up because of a harmless flippant comment. Deffo. Absolutely. No doubt. Yup.

(yo man river INVINCIBLE, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 15:01, closed)

Crikey
I'm glad I live in my head and not yours. Besides, it wasn't flippant I clearly meant it.
(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 15:07, closed)

Fair play. Delusion is probably more comfortable than grim reality.

(yo man river INVINCIBLE, Thu 18 Jun 2015, 7:24, closed)

Crocodile Dundee
I think you seem to be saying to me "that's not being a dick, THIS is being a dick"

You haven't got a lot of kindness going on in your life have you?
(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:04, closed)

You didn't get the job as internet psychiatrist either, did you?

(yo man river INVINCIBLE, Thu 18 Jun 2015, 11:17, closed)

your father should really have settled for the hand job

(jerrykew He who codes last, codes least, Thu 18 Jun 2015, 11:36, closed)

don't give his life meaning by responding

( rofl harris, Thu 18 Jun 2015, 11:44, closed)

And so the hyena, sensing a weakness in the old buffalo, nips at his ankle
But the damage is not serious, and tonight the hyena will go hungry as the sun sets on the Serengeti
( cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Wed 17 Jun 2015, 23:30, closed)