DeVliegendeHollander comments on An Experiment In Social Status: Software Engineer vs. Data Science Manager - Less Wrong

19 Post author: JQuinton 15 July 2014 08:24PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 20 April 2015 11:15:10AM 0 points [-]

The most hilarious version is - and I am guilty of doing it - when asked "what is your biggest fault?" answering like "sometimes I am too perfectionist and cannot leave good enough alone" or something similarly ridiculously servant-like ass-kissing. I think it goes back to many programmers being low status marginalized nerds all through from childhood to college, and the chance of a REAL JOB with real respect is something they may feel very grateful for.

Comment author: Jiro 04 May 2015 02:24:55PM 0 points [-]

What do you then? Obviously you are required to lie; you cannot actually tell them your biggest fault.

Comment author: [deleted] 04 May 2015 02:36:12PM 0 points [-]

A more high-status response is to say something trivial and humorous, or even meta, such as "sometimes I don't answer questions I don't like". This is slightly impertiment, not impertinent enough to actually offend the interviewer but enough to send an I-am-high-value-and-know-it message.

Comment author: Viliam_Bur 04 May 2015 11:29:08AM 0 points [-]

Reminds me of a joke:

(at a job interview)
Q: "What is your biggest fault?"
A: "Sincerity."
Q: "Well, I don't think that sincerity is a fault."
A: "Well, I don't give a fuck about what you think."