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Really exploring the studio space July 30, 2008

Posted by hardly Other Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Today was big fun for one reason, and that was our work in rope climbing.
Why was this fun?

The cowbell, of course.

At the top of the rope climb is a cowbell. One must hit the cowbell when one gets to the top.

For us, at least, the phrase “A little more cowbell” carries a lot of meaning!

Warmup:

Workout:

Workout:

What are the criteria that define a good developer? July 30, 2008

Posted by hardly Recruiting Process Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to ask a long-time software developer & manager about what he's seen in the recruiting process for software development talent that works (yes, many years, and yes, at many very recognizable companies, and he asked that he not be named). Specifically, what types of measurable criteria has he seen used to good effect in hiring the right people, or building a great team.

Our conversation went all over the map. We compared the hiring practices of some notable large companies in the area (cough, Microsoft, cough, Amazon, cough, Adobe, cough, cough). We also spoke about the methods he's used at the companies he's worked at, and which skill areas he thinks he can measure accurately in any given candidate.

The end result: He doesn't think there are any statistically valid criteria being used in hiring Software Developers by any firm. Further, he thinks that many companies are deluding themselves with their statistics. "We hire 90% of the top candidates for our team" - but how do they know? Do they conduct A/B tests on the candidates, which would force them to NOT hire developers they think are great?

Does anyone out there have any sound statistical methods they use in hiring their developers? Have you personally gone through a hiring process that you thought measured your skills accurately, and also gave you a good sense of the work you were about to perform?

What does it mean to do Good? July 29, 2008

Posted by hardly Strategic Concerns Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

For you internet technologists out there, the recent news regarding Justice Department Hiring & Promotion Practices raises an age-old question: If what you create is used for bad, Evil things, what will you do about it?

If Google's motto is, "Don't Be Evil" and they know that their search engine or other Internet tools are being used by the Dept of Justice, or the current Administration, to do something illegal, or maybe even Evil, what should they do?

What would you do?

What does the Internet know about you? July 29, 2008

Posted by hardly Online Presence Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Here's a great story regarding recruiting, and the use of search engines to identify candidates for specific roles over at the NY Times today.

Here's the key paragraph that pertains to recruiting, "According to the report, officials at the White House first developed a method of searching the Internet to glean the political leanings of a candidate and introduced it at a White House seminar called The Thorough Process of Investigation. Justice Department officials then began using the technique to search for key phrases or words in an applicant’s background, like “abortion,” “homosexual,” “Florida recount,” or “guns.”

Here's the issue: Any tool can use a tool for bad purposes. The question is not so much that of technology being bad, but that of people being unpredictable.

For you as a candidate, and we're all candidates sooner or later, does the information on the Internet represent you correctly? How will this information help your career, and how will it harm it? Can you predict what will happen 10 years from now?

Sometimes Competition is Distracting July 28, 2008

Posted by hardly 100 of... for time, Box Jumps, Dumbbell, Kettlebell, Other, Pullups, Recruiting Process, Row, Sit-ups Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Today, I was joined in my workout w/two other guys who are pretty close to me in ability. So close that in some things, they are better than me, and in others, I’m better than they are. This can be really good. Today, it was distracting. But, a good lesson in focus. Must stay focused on the next rep!

Warmup:

Workout:

Workout:

Are you ‘them’? July 28, 2008

Posted by hardly Job Hunt Process Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Today, I heard someone use the word 'them'/'those people' in a way which makes me cringe on several levels. You know, like one of these:

This mental framework is very common; I think we all use it one time or another. But, it is severely limiting when you actually need to accomplish something.

In recruiting, there are a couple of really common turns on this framework. One is, "Where is my passive candidate? I need a really spot-on passive candidate for this role." Another is, "Why can't I seem to get past the recruiter. They are in my way of getting that job at that company."

Here's the problem: We are all individuals. As soon as you start classifying someone as part of a larger group, you remove key attributes that are the ones you really do need to use to connect with them.

So Joe hooks this kettlebell, and you should have heard that reel sing! July 25, 2008

Posted by hardly Kettlebell Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Kettlebells

What are they?

Why do people use them to improve their physical performance?

How can they help me?

Great questions all. Answers on August 9th!

Gravity Janes is having a kettlebell workshop on Saturday the 9th. What’s great is that the instructors are two top-notch kettlebell instructors, and they can really help you understand how to use these wonderfully amazing tortuous physical fitness devices. The two are Tom Corrigan and Mikhail Marshak, and it’s going to be great to see them at our gym in Issaquah.

Now kettlebells sure as heck aren’t Kim’s spurs or whip, but like them, kettlebells will make you sweat!

Something you don’t see everyday July 25, 2008

Posted by hardly Pushups Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

O.K., so this is unfortunately one of those links that will go away at some point, but until then, you gotta check this one out: Nicole Verbrugghe doing ring push-ups

Methinks those are hard.

Sneaking Up on Improvment July 25, 2008

Posted by hardly 6 Minutes of..., Bar, Dips, Kettlebell, Max reps, Medicine Ball, Other, Pushups, Run, Sit-ups Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

One of the nice things about the functional workouts we do is that sometimes you’ll become re-acquainted w/a given activity and discover that you’ve improved. It’s a really great thing!

Warmup:

Workout:

All in all, I’m happy w/this workout. Nice to see my mile run time come down, and fun to do a few new things. I was sorta hoping that I’d get to 21 on the Thrusters, and I really tried, but it was not to be today. But tomorrow, who knows?

Workout:

Eyore v. Tigger July 25, 2008

Posted by hardly Other Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Just read that Randy Pausch passed. Randy was a Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, and is  famous for his "Last Lecture" book, and YouTube video.

He had a great observation. In your life, you can choose to be an Eyore or a Tigger. His view was that it's much more fun to be a Tigger.

Don't know about you, but it sure seems to me that the best Software Developers are Tiggers!