Interviews and Whatnot

Over the past few weeks, I've mentioned to some people that I was on the job market. Well, I will now publicly declare that is no longer the case. After a look around, my employers came to me with a counter-offer that I elected to take. Let this be a lesson: when I write code to protect oil pipelines, I don't stop until I'm fired. (I'd also stop if my fingers were to get maimed, but the first is more likely than the second.)

I'm glad to be staying. I like the people I work with, there's still some interesting work to be done, and I might die if I had to spend more than three minutes a day commuting. Interviewing confirmed some suspicions: yes, there are some good opportunities out there for people with my background. However, there are also a lot of companies out there who think, "What's your biggest weakness?" is a valid question.

Yes, I have major issues with that question. If I had a large, large weakness, such as alcoholism, kleptomania, or compulsive fornication, would I really admit that at such an early stage? I'd leave those discoveries for the background check. I did get asked that question, and I said my largest weakness was my inability to learn Mandarin. (I'm not sure what exactly that is, but it's probably not a weakness.) Coming in a close second: my inability to read.

I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but I'm doing a session this weekend at the Austin .NET Users' Group Code Camp on Functional Programming in C#. What the hell is that? Who the hell gives a crap? Both questions shall be answered this Saturday from 3:00 - 4:15 PM at St. Edwards Professional Education Center.

Anyway, it should be fun. Even if it's not, I'll probably wet my pants in terror, which is a nice consolation prize. PS: it is free.