On Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 3:45:35 PM UTC-5, MRAB wrote: > On 2017-07-26 20:04, Stefan Ram wrote: > > monica.sn...@gmail.com writes: > > > Hi I am in need some understanding on how to become more > > > knowledgeable while interviewing a candidate that > > > requires Python > > > > The only noun preceding "that" is "candidate". So, are you > > using "that" to refer to the candidate? > > > The word "that" is being used here as a relative pronoun. > It's not wrong, although when referring to people it would > be more common to use the word "who". (It's not strictly > true that it's the _candidate_ who requires Python; it's > the _company_ that has the requirement for the candidate to > know Python.)
I don't think it is appropriate for us to criticize someone's sentence structure who is: (1) not a prolific contributor here, (2) not a spammer or troll, or (3) is politely asking for help. Any one of these excuses are acceptable _if_ the OP does not make a habit of composing these clumsy inquiries. Obviously, the sentence could have been structured more wisely, but perhaps the OP was in a hurry; or nervous; or perhaps her first language is not English. Of course, there is another scenario which can cause an otherwise competent communicator to sound as though they have a weak grasp of the english language, and that scenario is when too much mental effort is focused on the mechanical process of typing a message. For instance: "I try to ask good question, but i spend so much time thinking about fingers, that forsake sentence structure, i do" So if we are to criticize, we should at least offer benevolent solutions. Eh? "I am in need some understanding on how to become more knowledgeable while interviewing a candidate that requires Python" Yes. There are some flaws here. One of the most glaring is the impracticality of an interviewer "becoming more knowledgable while interviewing"[1]. The other, as Stefan pointed out, is the use of "that" as a pronoun. And while i dare not hazard a guess as to the impetus of the "impracticality element", i believe the word "that" was not meant as a pronoun (aka: the interviewee), but was a reference to the "interview process" itself. In any event, if Monica would be so kind as to allow me to paraphrase her intent[2], i would like to offer this slightly improved version, of which, i am rather fond. Hi everyone. I'm currently employed in the HR department of my firm, and, when i'm not making coffee for the execs, one of my job duties require that i screen applicants. Specifically, I have been asked to weed-out unqualified applicants before they move onto the "official interview" with my superiors, who, unsurprisingly enough, have absolutely no patience for unqualified bozos. But i digress... Only problem is, my knowledge in the specific prerequisites of: Python, Node, Java, Javascript, Ruby, MVC (Model-view- controller) Frameworks, -- ಠ_ಠ -- Object Modeling, Database Systems, Java-Swing and/or GWT -- *DEEP BREATH* -- is severly lacking. So my question is: Are there any resources that you can recommend for which i can become qualified enough to accept or deny these prospects? Well, Monica, the answer to your question *IS* a question: How "qualified" do you want to be? If you think you can watch one or two five minute YouTube vids and adsorb enough knowledge to become qualified to make these difficult technical judgments, then, i would say you, and more disturbingly your superiors, grossly underestimate the depth of knowledge required here. If i were to hazard guess, i would say that by entrusting a non-technical person to screen the applications of highly technical persons, your superiors either (1) really don't want to hire anyone, or (2) want to pressure you into quitting. PS: I do apologize if my frank style of speaking is offensive to you. Please understand that i mean no offense. And although i doubt that a neophyte can master these subjects in a timely manner, i am in no way suggesting that you could not master them if you truly wanted to. [1] Which is like OJT on steroids! [2] And don't you worry Monica[3], i'm a _professional_ impersonator. O;-) [3] You gorgeous devil, you. -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list