Excercise for a Job interview

[DarkShadow]

My contract finished over a month ago. Over the past couple of weeks I've been on the job market on full form. I've managed to secure an interview on the 8th of July

For this interview I have an exercise to do. I've been given an excel document with over a 100 companies. There are about 30 fields to each company. I must create a site that returns matches by location, type, industry and a general search box.

I really want this position so I want to develop it in the best possible way. I think they'll be looking through my thought process in whatever I create, I'm confident in my communication skills and the ability to explain. I'm yet to ask what software they have on their local computer but I'll do that first thing tomorrow.

I wanted some opinions on the following solutions:

1) Dump all data in SQL and then use reporting services to filter the information back. (Been a couple of years since I used this)

2) Store data in access and use ASP.NET to create the web page. (Really rusty skills)

3) Use PHP and mySql. Create a web interface, create some kind of hierarchy and a search box.

Would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

 

[fez]

The the excel file was not part of the task I assume. i.e. They are not asking you to read the csv file and process it. Personally I would go for php & mysql to pull the data into a DB and then you can do what you like with it from there.

 

[dave-lew99]

Seems like quite a neat task - normally i get asked on the spot not loads of advance notice!

Play your strengths, but also be prepared to justify your choices.

Personally i'd look at the fields then look at designing a relational DB (i guess thats what they're looking for, not just someone who can dump a spreadsheet into a table)

eg if there are a number of contacts for each company (guessing since i don't know the layout) have a contact table which references a company ID from the company table.

Personally i'd use mysql and php. Then tell them it doesn't cost anything in s/w licences. May be worth touching on backup methods of the DB and code as well as security. Show your knowledge isn't in one area (but show that you are an expert and not just a jack of all trades master of none).

 

[slylittlefox]

Personally i'd look at the fields then look at designing a relational DB (i guess thats what they're looking for, not just someone who can dump a spreadsheet into a table)

eg if there are a number of contacts for each company (guessing since i don't know the layout) have a contact table which references a company ID from the company table.

This. Get it to 3NF or BCNF and explain why you have done. Incredibly easy to learn if you don't already know.

 

[DarkShadow]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I got a response from the manager in regards to the software.

The PC that we have available has a business office suite, including web browser, and internet access, so you might choose to use this machine to demonstrate a page that is hosted on a publicly accessible server, or you might choose to bring in a laptop and run the page locally.

Please bear in mind that all of the site we run are based on Microsoft platforms (ASP, ASP.net, SQL Server).

I don't have any hosting space nor do I have access to a laptop. Is this a reasonable request?

 

[gord]

I think it is reasonable. I assume you're going for a web dev role. I would be kind of worried that a potential web dev employee doesn't have some form of hosting or a laptop.

 

[datalol-jack]

To be honest, it is a fairly common request, although there is room for some common sense ingenuity. Why not use your home machine as a slapdash web host for their little project? Just make sure to cover your bases, if you can, by leaving someone at the house to keep an eye on things when you go for the interview.

It is not ideal, but if I had no laptop and did not want to chance it with their setup, this is what I would do.