The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5) - IBM Toronto lab interview experiences?

IBM Toronto lab interview experiences?

Anybody here have done interviews with IBM Toronto development labs before?

BJ
Wednesday, February 11, 2004

I was employed as a contractor there 15 years ago. They hired me (from an agency) without interviewing me.

Christopher Wells
Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Actually, I just interviewed for a 12-16 month internship position with them. Mostly technical questions, which was good, because it gave me a fair chance to show my actual abilities as an engineering student. The questiong seemed very fair and on topic - one of the better interviews I've had during the internship placement process.

I have a call back friday, so I must have done something right :-)

Seems like a very casual place - everyone in jeans. Cubicles, but with doors. I noticed that at least some of the developers had multiple computer screens. One problem tho - its off in the middle of nowhere, literally 1.5 hrs from downtown by public transit. So make sure you have lots of time to get there.

Daniel

Daniel
Wednesday, February 11, 2004

I actually drove by that building, and it is NOT in the middle of nowhere. Just 3-5 minutes east is the biggest Chinatown Mall I've ever seen anywhere thus far.

Mongolian meals for dinner at the Great Khan!

T.J.
Thursday, February 12, 2004

When I think of IBM, I think of all those gloomy people on the subway with their leather suitcases, staring into space. Contemplating how they will do the same routine--differently today than yesterday--for the next 30 years...

I am shocked.. IBM Toronto actually doing interesting research? That changes my perception quite a bit. We have a patents-per-minute factory right here in town? *lol* What do they research?

Li-fan Chen
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Answer: https://www-927.ibm.com/ibm/cas/toronto/projects/public/supportedProjects

Li-fan Chen
Thursday, February 12, 2004

The most famous from them are compilers for all types of languages for all type of IBM boxes, especially C++.

T.J.
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Markham (where IBM is) is not the middle of nowhere. Lots of tech companies in the area. Yes, it may take a long time to get there from downtown, but not everyone lives downtown, no?

I have a friend who works there and is doing development on DB2.

Keep in mind they have two locations in the area. One is the Toronto lab, where all the interesting work gets done, and the other is IBM Canada's HQ, which is, in my friend's words, just for show. That is where all the "suits" end up, I believe.

(I work just down the street from the Toronto lab.)

Avrom Finkelstein
Thursday, February 12, 2004