Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 14th February 1993

Dilbert//1401, first published 33 years ago on Sunday 14th February 1993

Tags

the boss dilbert interview applicant engineer standard pens pencil perform natural fabrics carry wearing

Official transcript

The Boss says, "Dilbert, I want you to interview the job applicant who's coming in today."

The Boss continues, "See if he's got what it takes to be an engineer."

Dilbert holds out his hand and says to the candidate, "Hi, Karl. We'll start with the standard engineering test."

Karl says, "Okey dokey."

Dilbert says, "I have thiry-five pens and pencils here. How many are really needed to perform your job?"

Karl answers, "All of them."

Dilbert says, "Correct . . . Now, what is the proper way to carry them with you?"

Karl puts all of the pens and pencils in his shirt pocket. Dilbert says, "Right again. Last question: what is the advantage of wearing natural fabrics?"

Karl thinks, "Uh-oh . . . Panic situation."

Sweat flies off his forehead and his hair sticks up. He says, "I . . . I don't know."

Dilbert says, "That's okay. I was testing your hair. You're an engineer."

Karl smiles.

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

, I WANT YOU TO INTERVIEW THE JOB APPLICANT WHO'S COMING IN TODAY.

SEE IF HE'S GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ENGINEER HI, KARL. WELL START WITH THE STANDARD ENGINEERING TEST.

OKEY- DOKEY.

I HAVE THIRTY-FIVE PENS AND PENCILS HERE. HOW MANY ARE REALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM YOUR JOB?

ALL OF THEM.

CORRECT... NOW, WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO CARRY THEM WITH YOU?

RIGHT AGAIN. LAST QUESTION: WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF WEARING NATURAL FABRICS?

UH-OH... PANIC SITUATION.

DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S OKAY. I WAS TESTING YOUR HAIR. YOU'RE AN ENGINEER.

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

Comic Strip Title: "The Engineer's Interview"

Summary:

This comic strip, originally published in 1993, features Dilbert, a bespectacled man with a distinctive hairdo, in a humorous interview scenario. The strip is divided into nine panels, each showcasing Dilbert's interactions with a job applicant.

Key Panels:

• Panel 1: A woman, identified as "Dilbert," introduces herself to the job applicant and asks about his qualifications.
• Panel 2: The applicant reveals that he is an engineer, prompting Dilbert to inquire about his experience.
• Panel 3: The applicant explains that he has thirty-five pens and pencils, which he believes are necessary for his job.
• Panel 4: Dilbert asks the applicant to demonstrate his skills, but the applicant is unsure how to proceed.
• Panel 5: The applicant attempts to explain the benefits of wearing natural fabrics, but Dilbert is unimpressed.
• Panel 6: The applicant becomes flustered and admits that he doesn't know how to answer Dilbert's questions.
• Panel 7: Dilbert offers words of encouragement, telling the applicant that he is doing fine.
• Panel 8: The applicant reveals that he is an engineer, which surprises Dilbert.
• Panel 9: Dilbert concludes the interview by thanking the applicant for his time.

Humor and Themes:

The comic strip pokes fun at the absurdity of job interviews and the challenges of communicating effectively in a professional setting. The applicant's lack of confidence and inability to answer Dilbert's questions create a humorous contrast with Dilbert's deadpan reactions. The strip also touches on the theme of self-identification, as the applicant struggles to define himself as an engineer despite his uncertainty about his qualifications. Overall, the comic strip uses humor to highlight the complexities and challenges of the job interview process.

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