in reply to Re: Re: Number 1 mistake to not avoid during an interview
in thread (OT) Number 1 mistake to not avoid during an interview

My apologies. I wrote that while awake by insomnia, and I didn't want to go rummaging around in unpacked boxes of books for Professional Software Development or The Psychology of Computer Programming (Silver Anniversary Edition) both of which cite the results of testing programmers with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, and contrasts that with the general public. (IIRC introverts outnumber extroverts by about 3 to 1 among programmers, which is exactly the reverse of the general public. But don't quote me on that because I don't have those books beside me now either.) But you are right that I should be more specific so that people can double-check claims like that. I also tend to not be sympathetic to claims that sound like unsubstantiated broad generalizations.

Incidentally I should note that I am in the minority of programmers who are extroverts.

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Number 1 mistake to not avoid during an interview
by Anonymous Monk on Sep 18, 2003 at 18:00 UTC
    Incidentally I should note that I am in the minority of programmers who are extroverts.
    As am I, and of course I assume everyone else is like me, which probably had something to do with my earlier comment ;-)

    I personally like working in a semi-open environment, not separated from my co-workers by walls and a door, but by natural spatial separations set up by paths and common areas (something like Christopher's pattern 152, "Half-private office" from "A Pattern Language"). I feel comfortable putting on my headphones and ignoring folks when I need to not be interrupted, but like to be generally available. It also helps me give my hands much needed breaks by having natural, social interruptions.

    I would be quite interested to see how "introverts" respond to this type of an environment, and whether it has an impact on their general outlook. I suspect if I spent most of my waking day in a room by myself with a door closed that I would consider myself more introverted than I do now.

    Okay, I'm done rambling now ;-) Thanks for the citations.

    -- am
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      I'm an introvert and enjoy exactly the type of office setup you describe (even down to the level of putting on my headphones)

      As to how I respond, well it doesn't affect my level of introversion. I tend to work intensely for a length of time dictated by the problem, then I'll go and talk by the coffee machine when it's solved.

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      Sorry to respond to an almost ten years old post ... If they can, they run. If they can't they shrink into their shell, they curse and they attempt to gradually change their working hours so that they can get some work done.

      Jenda
      Enoch was right!
      Enjoy the last years of Rome.

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