In order for me to get an interview for a job at mumsnet I had to do a 5-question test and submit my test to a recruitment consultant. The last question was about creating a shopping cart for a website, after telling the consultant I have never done this he still continued to e-mail me, asking me to do something I could not create.
I also told him my phone was broken since before 8am this morning I had recieved 3 phone calls from him and wished to not hear his voice anymore.
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:17am
To: James Goddard
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky -
Hi James,
Please find attached the answers to the test along with an updated CV with no contact details. my mobile phone is currently not working and do not have a contact number so any questions please email me.
I did not answer question 5 as I have never created a shopping cart before.
I have attached the answers as a PDF and separate HTML files.
Thanks,
Nick
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:18am
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky -
Hi Nicky,
Is it possible to create a shopping cart today maybe using the internet or code libraries as a basis for it, as if you don’t have this in the test I don’t think you’ll be successful.
Kind Regards,
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:27am
To: James Goddard
SSubject: Re: Hi Nicky -
Hi James
Yes I can do that sure, what time would you like it done by? When is the deadline?
Thanks,
Nick
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:28am
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Nicky,
No deadline for it apart from maybe tomorrow evening: do you know what your ETA would be and I can work out whether that would be doable?
Kind Regards,
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:38am
To: James Goddard
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Hi James
I should be able to create a fully working shopping cart by the end of the day.
One question should you be able to pay by paypal?
Many Thanks,
Nick
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:41am
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Yes –
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:43am
To: James Goddard
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Hi James
ok also if once paid by paypal, should they receive an e-mail confirming the order? the same way amazon does?
Many Thanks,
Nick
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:46am
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Hi Nick
I’m unsure about that : What I would suggest is just follow the instructions to the letter. Don’t make the process more complex than it needs to be as it is likely you’ll make an error etc.
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:50am
To: James Goddard
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Ah ok I suppose the more I do the better chance I would have of getting an interview.
I will try and keep it simple I will add the paypal feature I will send you something today,
Thanks for your help
Nick
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 10:58am
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Thanks Nicky – I really appreciate that and as soon as you get it over to me I will forward it to the client.
I have asked your question to them anyway : So if they get back to me in the mean time I will also let you know.
Kind Regards,
James
Bearing in mind I told james my phone was broke I now had 8 missed calls from him today, my phone is not really broken I just can’t stand being asked 8 times to do something I cannot do, for an interview I may never get.
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 4;25pm
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
How is the shopping cart thing going?
James
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 4;40pm
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Hi James,
I have been working all day on this I hope it's good enough for me to get an interview.
Many Thanks,
Nick
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 4;43pm
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Have you been able to attach it to an email and send it to me?
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 4;44pm
To: James Goddard
Subject: Re: Hi Nicky –
Yes here you go it should be attached.
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 4;54pm
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Nicky,
That is a very literal interpretation of the brief.
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 5:01 pm
To: James Goddard
Yes you are right I guess it's not good enough being a graphic designer I should really make it better.
How is this?
I feel it is more modern. What do you think?
__________________________________________________________
James is ringing again I don’t answer I await an email reply.
_______________________________________________________
From: James Goddard
Sent: 02 November 2011 5:04 pm
To: Nicky Mc Allister
Hi Nicky,
Mirth aside - have you been able to do the task they presented or have
you basically had second thoughts etc.
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 5:07 pm
To: James Goddard
I had second thoughts, I can't handle the pressure of the shopping carts any more
every time I blink I see more of them.
here is an image representation of what I see.
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 5:07 pm
To: James Goddard
Hi Nicky,
I actually had a chat with mumsnet and ironically they just sent me this
over:
Our answer is: The test is concerned with HTML and CSS. How the form or
any other elements should function (beyond what's specified), such as
how payments should work or how the back-end application is structured,
is not relevant. Those are details which can be omitted from any
solution.
Hopefully this can help you with your trolley mania.
Just to focus back on this position Nicky : Can you give me a straight
answer or not on whether you'd like me to keep your application live as
obviously we've both got busy lives etc (Getting trollied) and this is a
waste of time.
James
From: Nicky Mc Allister
Sent: 02 November 2011 5:07 pm
To: James Goddard
ok James I will try and concentrate on the question at hand.
I will send you some HTML and CSS tomorrow now it has been clarified.
Have a good evening
Nick
Continued tomorrow........
