After job interview I get invited... - Please tell me your thoughts!

[Cheetah]

Ok. So I am currently applying for a software development position.

After applying I solved some programming problems they sent me.

Then they invited me to the first of three interviews. It was a technical one with lots of programming problems. I was interviewed by two developers I might end up working with.

Then I was invited to the second interview, which I had today. This interview was with my potential team manager. It was also quite technical.

I never feel I do very well at the technical interviews, but apparently I do good enough to be invited to the second interview. Today too, I only felt I did okay, nothing outstanding.

So they'll come back to me in a few days for whether there'll be a third interview.

Then:

"Oh, you wanna join us for our Friday beers tonight? Just come back here at 6 o'clock."

I feel that this was a very good sign. But could it also be viewed neutral or negatively? I'm just seeing this as a good way to get them to like me better outside of the pressure of an interview, but I wouldn't think they would invite a job applicant to Friday beers without feeling like they want to hire me.

Any thoughts?

 

[amadeus]

Is this a Japanese company? Getting a taste of the corporate nomikai life probably wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[Cheetah]

Is this a Japanese company? Getting a taste of the corporate nomikai life probably wouldn't be a bad thing.

Nah, foreign.

I've been to enough private nomikais though. Wonder if corporate ones are very different...

But:

Is this good, neutral or bad? And if so, how much?

 

[Counterclaw]

It seems like a good sign. You've had more than one interview, which means they liked you enough to spend more time with you. I suppose the invitation might be a test of some sort, but it seems like a positive sign. Good luck!

 

[Formaldehyde]

I've only been asked to go out for drinks once during the interview process. It was a paralegal job while I was still going to college. I politely declined with the excuse that I should get home to my wife and was never contacted again.

I think it is a bad sign regarding their professionalism myself. It shows that they are likely quite interested in how you socialize with them outside of work. There could even be a "pub culture" which is frequently found in English companies where after work appearances are considered to be mandatory. This could be great if you really share a lot of common interests and like to socialize with them. But it could be just the opposite if you find that being around them for 8+ hours a day at work is all you can stand.

Either way, don't get drunk or even get a buzz. Make sure you eat plenty of food before you show up to diminish the effects of whatever alcohol you do imbibe. You are still being interviewed and you need to keep your wits about you.

 

[Carl Von Uber]

I've only been asked to go out for drinks once during the interview process. It was a paralegal job while I was still going to college. I politely declined with the excuse that I should get home to my wife and was never contacted again.

I think it is a bad sign regarding their professionalism myself. It shows that they are likely quite interested in how you socialize with them outside of work. There could even be a "pub culture" which is frequently found in English companies where after work appearances are considered to be mandatory. This could be great if you really share a lot of common interests and like to socialize with them. But it could be just the opposite if you find that being around them for 8+ hours a day at work is all you can stand.

Either way, don't get drunk or even get a buzz. Make sure you eat plenty of food before you show up to diminish the effects of whatever alcohol you do imbibe. You are still being interviewed and you need to keep your wits about you.

What he said I completely agree

 

[LightFang]

In software, it's important that you work well with other engineers. So they probably want to see if you interact with them well. It's not as dumb as it may seem.

I say go for it--it's probably another test!

 

[Mise]

They're probably intent on hiring you, if they've asked you to socialise with them.

 

[GinandTonic]

Clearly a good thing. Eat well just before you go. Especially since devs arent exactly noted for their interpersonal skills they want to see how you relate to the other devs. Dont get drunk drunk, and make sure you are slightly less drunk than the rest. Worst comes to worst tip some of your drink down the urinal. While they talk office politics keep your mouth shut but when they are shooting the breeze be charming. The line manager will doubtless have a conversation he wants to have with you and probably some others, thats the money shot, so make sure you stay around for that.

Cry out before it all gets too messy, but not so early as to be a killjoy.

 

[Thoughtful Thug]

Probably the third interview as much as the third official interview being the fourth.

 

[Gabryel Karolin]

Definately a good thing.

Programmers can be really odd, they probably want to see just how odd you are and how you can handle social dynamics, especially in small firms/offices this is extremely important.

Just follow GinandTonics advice.

 

[dusters]

Accept it, but remain on your guard, I guess.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

They want to see if you're an introverted nerd or some who's capable of teamwork and good to get along with.
I recommend you get drunk and hit on the women.

 

[warpus]

Congratulations, you have just been invited to the third interview. Go out for a beer or two, crack come jokes, make small-talk, get to know these guys a bit, and show them that you're not socially inept.. Depending on the atmosphere, leave an hour or two after, citing a personal obligation of some sort. If you have a wife you could bring up one of the many stupid things that she has planned for you that night.

 

[really]

Don't get drunk and don't be the last one there.
They want to see how you get on with the others - this is a very casual interview but still an interview.

There is a lot of football on tonight.

if you can get them girls they will hire you on the spot.

 

[Heretic_Cata]

Going out for a beer with your boss is ALWAYS a good sign. You're hired. (unless you do something really stupid at the bar - or unless your boss is hitting on you)

This worked for me and i got plastered (but so did he )

 

[GinandTonic]

Going out for a beer with your boss is ALWAYS a good sign. You're hired. (unless you do something really stupid at the bar - or unless your boss is hitting on you)

This worked for me and i got plastered (but so did he )

I was in an interview and it was all looking pretty good. The manager apologised that we would have to finish up the next day as he was supposed to meet his sister in the pub next door five min ago, but perhaps I would join him for a pint? The implication being he was buying. I agree and when we arrive his sister has a pint waiting for him so he doesnt go to the bar. We chat for a couple of min and the sister is quite cute and seems to like me - and this doesnt seem to piss the guy off. So being unemployed and totally skint I spend my last couple of quid on a pint. Life is looking up. I have a pint, a job and a cute girl likes me.

As I take my jumper off I knock over my untouched pint. Right onto my mobile phone. And the girl. The managers sister.

In an instant the pint, the phone, the girl and the job evaporated.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Moderator Action: Lots of spam deleted... please stay on-topic, guys. Thanks.

 

[Zelig]

I was in an interview and it was all looking pretty good. The manager apologised that we would have to finish up the next day as he was supposed to meet his sister in the pub next door five min ago, but perhaps I would join him for a pint? The implication being he was buying. I agree and when we arrive his sister has a pint waiting for him so he doesnt go to the bar. We chat for a couple of min and the sister is quite cute and seems to like me - and this doesnt seem to piss the guy off. So being unemployed and totally skint I spend my last couple of quid on a pint. Life is looking up. I have a pint, a job and a cute girl likes me.

As I take my jumper off I knock over my untouched pint. Right onto my mobile phone. And the girl. The managers sister.

In an instant the pint, the phone, the girl and the job evaporated.

This is why you should always finish any of your drinks before getting up or making any sudden movements.

 

[.Shane.]

Be careful to drink very little and stay sober. Aside from that, this may work to your advantage more than you think. What I mean is, as much as they may be sizing you up a bit, you have a chance to size them up as well. You may find out they're a great bunch of people or an obnoxious group of prats. In turn, this might help shape your decision about taking a job, if offered.