Interview Questions

Offline programming ? I would have a Cad ready to go and see how fast they could move thru a Manual and DCC alignment, and check a feature or 2 on multiple sides of the part. Without being overlay anal I could rip 1 out in a few minutes. Watching this process would tell you a fair amount in a big hurry.

Can't fake that. I like it. Then you know how much they know, how comfortable they are with it, and (if you ask open-ended questions) can find out how honest they are about what they know and what they don't know. I much prefer to work with people who can be open if they don't know something. "I'm not sure, but I can learn." is much nicer to hear than a load of bologna.

Just wanted to add my input here since I may have a slightly different perspective.

Being a PC-DMIS instructor, I’ve trained probably close to 1000 CMM programming students over the years and can quickly determine who will make it and who will not.

I find that the most suitable candidates possess talent in 3 areas:

1. Computer Literacy.
   
2. Understanding of Engineering Drawings and GD&T.
   
3. Organizational Skills.
   

If I were a hiring manager, I would structure the interview in such a way as to properly evaluate those criteria (amongst others, of course). In addition to the traditional question/answer interview, I’d definitely come up with a short PC-DMIS programming test that would cover the basics (alignments, dimensioning, working with cad, etc).

One type you should be careful to weed out is the candidate who has only ever been a CMM OPERATOR, as opposed to a PROGRAMMER. There is a BIG difference here and I’ve come across many individuals who “faked” their way through an interview claiming to be a programmer when they were actually only loading parts and pressing execute. This ultimately ends up being unpleasant for all involved!

Nothing wrong with being a CMM operator, but when an employer is looking for a programmer they want a PROGRAMMER.

Sadly, in my neck of the woods anyway, there tends to be a significant skilled labour shortage and PC-DMIS programmers are hard to find… the good ones anyway. So, that means employers can’t be too picky and have to take what they can get.

I would ask: (along with the suggestions posted above)

A mistake was found in a program you created. What are your next steps?

It's gonna happen eventually and the candidate's response will tell you all you need to know.
Reaction under duress........

We get a bagel day once a month. (cream cheese optional...a payroll deduction)
Life is good!

We have a short 5-10 question quiz that I give to applicants. It basically just has basic gd&t questions tied to how you would evaluate it in pc dmis. So far it has been 100% effective at weeding out the bs'ers that think they deserve 30+ an hour. I tend to keep the interviews very informal to try and feel a person out. Usually we will give then something simple to do a manual alignment on, then dcc, then measure something relative to that, without cad. Its absolutely baffling how many people claim to be senior level programmers and cant accomplish this. We usually end up choosing the person who comes in for the interview and is honest about what they do and do not know but seem to have the right attitude. We corrupt them from there..

I think if you are wanting to hire a trained programmer, then this is a perfect thing to do. Get them on a CMM or an offline seat and see what they can do, how quick they can do it, and is it right what they have done. Nothing too fancy unless your products require something specific.

If you are wanting someone who may become a programmer in the future then you need to look for IT skills, maybe G,D&T skills or at the least the willingness to learn them and organisation is always helpful.

Or the cheapest.... right? JK!!! How about those ads out there offering +$65/hr at the big companies and bs'ers actually getting the job? Amazing.

$65 and hour... if you see any of those jobs you let me know!

I'd just be sure to lay out the expected duties and reiterate that you're not looking for someone to park their @$$ at the CMM all day, isn't going to work. It's important to be proficient at ALL expected duties. Job will have a probationary period based on that. THEN, watch their reaction, you should know where to go from there.