Live data from Hacker News

IBM's Asshole Test

johnpublic.mataroa.blog

11–20 of 604 posts

Re: IBM's Asshole Test

#11
post #7

> You see who turns into an asshole under pressure Does this work? How? Isn't that the interesting part here? The fact this test exists is uninteresting.

The post doesn't go into enough detail to be sure, but I think the "asshole" participants fighting for control of the whiteboard assumed that whoever would successfully lead the group to solve the puzzle would receive good marks and have the highest probability of receiving an offer. Furthermore, some companies, or departments/teams within companies, foster a corporate culture where "assholes" are more likely to be promoted. So a group participant who isn't naturally an "asshole" may have taken a risk by behaving like one, gambling on the idea that such traits would be looked upon favorably.

Re: IBM's Asshole Test

#12

Am I the only one that finds it slightly amusing that the test also makes sure that the supposed work task/puzzle doesn't actually matter? Perhaps an ironically appropriate test for hiring for a job at many offices/IBM (and exemplifying some of the problems with these bad faith test techniques).

Nothing in job interviews matters.

Re: IBM's Asshole Test

#13
This sounds so weird, people without any expertise in human psychology are in-charge of a behavior detection exercise. The worst part, those who got in were the new experts in 6-months.

Re: IBM's Asshole Test

#14
post #13

This sounds so weird, people without any expertise in human psychology are in-charge of a behavior detection exercise. The worst part, those who got in were the new experts in 6-months.

> those who got in were the new experts in 6-months.

Author says they were shadowing, not an expert.

Re: IBM's Asshole Test

#16
post #6

All companies should have a test like this

In the age of "cracking the coding interview", glassdoor, levels.fyi, etc... it would only work a handful of times before everyone is in on the test and true assholes won't expose themselves.

Assholes who actually can learn to hide the fact that they are assholes are probably a lot less annoying.

Re: IBM's Asshole Test

#18
I have a "no jerks" rule too. challenge is to try to spot them early, even before you say yes to an employer/client. its hard to do reliably. but there are less complications early than down the road when they've become one's coworkers or boss

because of this I really like to get into casual friendly convos early, with potential bosses or coworkers

Post reply on HN