Along with the CV I always used to ask for code samples. I wanted to see the code before I could develop any biases by talking to the person. I found it worked

Along with the CV I always used to ask for code samples. I wanted to see the code before I could develop any biases by talking to the person. I found it worked best to ask for "the last project/projects you had fun working on, or developed on your own time". If there are none...