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I have a really good way of separating candidates into those who will be successful and those who won't - During the interview I ask how they became interested
by smoyer 11y ago
I have a really good way of separating candidates into those who will be successful and those who won't - During the interview I ask how they became interested in computer science, programming, etc as well as asking them to provide information on "pet projects" or other significant work they've accomplished.
If someone describes staying up all night as a 13 year-old because they had to finish the code they were working on, that's someone who was passionate about programming before they found out it's one of the better paying professions.
If someone points to finished projects (especially side projects or OSS), then they also have the ability to focus. If someone points to a bunch of barely started projects, they might have great ideas but in a business you also need to execute.
So ... passion and focus, plus a reasonable amount of domain knowledge will make a great employee.
- panic 11y agoHow do you know your method works? Have you compared it side-by-side with other methods, including a control where you decide to hire or not completely at random?
- pjc50 11y agoIf someone describes staying up all night as a 13 year-old So, you're explicitly selecting by class background and upbringing? This particular metric also tends to select against women, if you have any applying.
- moron4hire 11y agoI know a lot of women who were up all night at 13 years old to write code they just had to finish. Gender bias is about those people getting passed over for jobs, not code-boot-camp churn-outs.
- smoyer 11y agoI never said everyone not meeting this "rule of thumb" should be discarded ... And the hypothetical 13 year-old was only one example of "displaying passion".
- moron4hire 11y agoSorry, I wasn't disagreeing with you.
- alistairSH 11y agoNot just class, but age. Those of us who grew up in the 70s or 80s were much less likely to have a PC in the house as a child. High-speed internet wasn't commonly available until I entered college (and even then, it wasn't something found in homes - just offices and colleges).
- collyw 11y agoPlus parents occupation. I can remember on two occasions bosses of mine who helped kids with some form of homework assignment. If your dad (or mum) isn't technical then you are less likely to get an early start.
- dasboth 11y ago"If someone points to a bunch of barely started projects, they might have great ideas but in a business you also need to execute." I'm not disagreeing, because I agree that side projects show passion, but I'm not sure a lack of side projects necessarily points to a worse employee. Someone could be a great developer in an enterprise environment, from where they obviously wouldn't be able to show you code snippets, but have no side projects because they might have other hobbies.