Hiring aptitude test

My company is looking to hire a new Solidworks designer to give me a
hand (ya! business is good!). We are starting the process of screening
resumes from a staffing company, and I have been asked to come up with a
simple aptitude test that we can give to the candidates. What we do
here is not rocket science at all, simple framework made from Bosch type
aluminum extrusion, and simple machined brackets. What ideas have any
of you guys used to weed out the type who claim to have knowledge, but
are just padding their resume?

Thanks!
Dave

 

Take your most simple assy and make them build it. Parts and all. You
can lend them a hand with giving them the extrusion profiles ahead of
time, but make them build something. Build it yourself to get an idea
of how much time it should take. Watch them take the test too. If
they butcher around the UI or have to use the help file at all, test
over and send them home. Just watching someone work around SolidWorks
will give you a good feel for how well they use the software.

KMaren

 

I've had interviews where the company actually sat me down at a
computer and had me model a simple item. For the most part, you either
know it or you don't, and a small demo will make it very apparent (and
possibly embarrassing if they don't know it). Since you're doing
framework/bracketry, at the very least make sure he/she knows about
assemblies in SW. Most probably won't know sheetmetal (if that's
important to you), so I wouldn't make it a requirement - it's easy
enough to learn in SW as long as the other basic skills are there.

As far as general skills are concerned, here's a few ideas:

* have the applicant draw an 3-view drawing of a simple physical part
(no dimensions)
* have the applicant draw an isometric (or close approximation) of a
part if he is given the 3-view drawing
* use a variation on the above two ideas (Does this blind hole go on
the back or the front side of the part?)

 

If they have passed the CSWP test, that at least signifies a level of
competency.

WT

 

I don't think you need anything terribly complex. Just have them build
a simple part from 2D paper drawing, then install the part into an
assembly. You ought to be able to tell how well they know their way
around SW just from how well they handle a couple simple things.

A candidate with a good base level of competency and the right
experience should be able to adapt to your specific requirements.

 

1. Go to library
2. Get drafting text
3. In the chapter on working drawings look for an exercise with all
parts dimensioned in isometric drawings.
4. Copy those pages.
5. Have him model the parts, make the assembly and then a set of
working drawings.
6. Ask him to fill in the custom properties using all CAPS and three
letter initials for his name.
7. Grade him on his construction technique, whether all sketches are
fully defined, full mating except on fasteners, and most important
whether he filled in the custom properties correctly.

This is what I give my students for a final. You'd be surprised how
many can't follow simple directions from step 6.

 

I've actually used this:

Your father sends you down to the lake to get exactly 4 gallons of water.
He gives you a 3 gal. bucket and a 5 Gal. bucket, both are non graduated.
How are you going to get exactly 4 gallons of water?

There are two ways to do this, but you would be surprised the amount of
people that can't get it.
This would show at least weed out the "I don't know! This is stupid" people,
and maybe show some competency at resolving problems by thinking them trough
completely.

Muggs

 

I don't know that solving a simple logic puzzle is going to tell
you much about how good a person will be at designing.

bill

 

Don't read this if you don't want to know yet.








My answer is to fill each more than half way, then tip each and dump water
out until you make a diagonal plane, thereby giving you a half full bucket
of each size. 1.5 +2.5=4.0. Thank you very much......

WT

 

Answer #4:

Applicant goes home and rents "Die Hard with a Vengeance", and returns with
answers. Gets credit for showing research capabilities?

Scott

 

That wouldn't work unless the buckets were both cylindrical and exactly
the same height because half-way is at a different level for each
bucket. You could use a siphon to get them level, but you've only got
two buckets, no hose.

I think I'd go to the shed, get the 4 gallon bucket and a boat oar.
(Boat oar is to whack old Pop for sending me out with the wrong tools.)

 

Wait a minute - I didn't say anything about the two levels being the same,
or even related. Assuming a bucket is not twisted, run over, etc, when you
tip it, and dump out the liquid until the liquid level touches the outer rim
and just starts to touch what would then be the upper edge of the lower rim,
then you have half of its capacity, regardless of whether the sides are
tapered or straight.

WT

 

I'm having a hard time refraining from giving the answer(s).

Muggs

 

***Read ONLY IF YOU WANT THE ANSWER(S)***





























Fill the 3 gallon bucket.

Put into the 5 gallon bucket.

Fill the 3 gallon bucket again.

Fill the 5 gallon bucket, leaving 1 gallon in the 3 gallon bucket.

Empty the 5 gallon bucket.

Put the 1 gallon in the 5 gallon bucket.

Fill the 3 gallon bucket.

3 + 1 = 4



Fill the 5 gallon bucket.

Fill the 3 gallon bucket, leaving 2 gallons in the 5 gallon bucket.

Empty the 3 gallon bucket.

Put the 2 gallons in the 3 gallon bucket.

Fill the 5 gallon bucket.

Fill the 3 gallon leaving 4 gallons in the 5 gallon bucket.

 

Yes, except that you can't just repeat. No where to store the first two
gallons.

Muggs

 

Sorry my mistake! Using your method the two gallons ARE stored.

Very nice! And different than mine.

Muggs

 

1. fill the 5 gl bkt to top.
2. pour from 5 gl into 3 gl. bucket
3. this leaves 2 gl in the 5 and 3 gl in the 3.
4. mark the level of 2 gls in that is in the 5 gl bkt.
5. dumpout the 3 gl bucket so it is empty
6. transfer the 2 gls remaining in the 5 gl bkt into the 3 gl bkt.
7. fill the 5 gl bkt to the level marked in step 4.
8. pour the 2 gls from the 3 gl bkt back into the 5 gl bkt.
9. there is now 4 gls of water in the 5 gl bkt.

 

You need to weed out the brighter ones.
Go for really dumb typos on the "resume". And buzzwords.

 

Sorry! Can't use markers, but very close.

Muggs

 

You may have a problem.