The Head Count

An agency calls and asks whether I can do UML modelling. I look it up... it's just "a formal language" so I say, "Yes, I can probably do that... but do tell the client I haven't actually done it before..."

Some time later I am called for an interview and after driving half-way across the country I am met by a specialist in UML modelling. Twenty minutes later it's all over.

I am direct, but polite.

"It seems to me this interview was very brief, so I infer that either you have already decided that I would be completely useless or that I would be perfect for the role — but either way no further discussion is required — yet you haven't said whether you think I would be suitable or not. Can I ask what your assessment is?"

"Oh, it's not up to me... that's for Dr Burge to decide. I was only asked to check that you had the right number of heads."

Fortunately, one head was the required number and I then spent two years doing architectures for Peter Burge and UK MoD (during which time UML was hardly ever mentioned).