Tough interview questions
It’s not often that we hire new editors at Hardware & Building Supply Dealer. So when we do, it’s a an event.
The interview questions employed during the process might shock those unfamiliar with the rigor in which we conduct business here at HBSDealer. But they serve an important step in weeding out those who might fail to rise above mediocrity.
For instance:
• What’s the boiling point of propane?
• What are the actual dimensions of 2 x 8 dimensional lumber?
• Name your favorite non-Shakespeare, Elizabethan-era playwright?
Following this strenuous process, we would like to introduce to the HBSDealer editorial team: Florida native and Birmingham, Alabama-based Robby Brumberg.
Brumberg, our new editor, brings a wealth of experience to the task. Most recently he was deputy editor of Forbes Health, distilling complex topics into clear understandable terms. He was five-years editor of Ragan.com, covering all aspects of corporate communication. And as evidence of a golden heart, he previously served for about a decade in various communications roles for non-profit organizations.
We asked him a few other questions:
Q: What is your most recent successful home improvement project?
A: My wife and I made a bay window bench seat in our kitchen. It's mostly been usurped by one of our pups as a sunning area and stash location for her chew toys and other contraband from the yard, but it was fun to make.
Q Any unsuccessful efforts?
A: It's best to not dwell on failure. However, failure is also a terrific teacher. Let's say, just for a totally made-up example, that someone broke a pipe upstairs while trying to stop a drip, resulting in a cascade of water through the ceiling downstairs. Theoretically, that person will have learned a valuable lesson.
Q: That actually sounds totally real-world believable. Three kids. Strategies to mitigate distractions from working at home?
A: It takes a village, right. It also takes screens and cartoons. We've also implemented a "Child of the Day" campaign to add an element of gamification and hopefully inspire new heights of cooperation and self-directed play throughout the summer.
Q: Best thing about living in Alabama?
A: The cost of living is great! That was one of the big reasons we moved here from Florida. Like any state, we have our problems (gloating Bama fans, etc.). But overall, Alabama has loads of character and lots of admirable qualities.
Q: There are actually a lot of Bama fans in our industry. Might want to adjust that tone.
A: I’ll try.
Readers, please join me in welcoming Robby Brumberg to HBSDealer. He’s at [email protected].
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(Answers to the above questions: negative 43.6 degrees Fahrenheit; 1.5” x 7.25”; Christopher Marlowe.)
