Ah, how times seem to change. My primary criteria for a hire is "they get the job done". All I ever want is someone who can take a task and finish it properly.

Ah, how times seem to change. My primary criteria for a hire is "they get the job done". All I ever want is someone who can take a task and finish it properly. Most tasks are not about age ('senior developer'), social ability ('social geek'), friendship ('new friend') or even about 'just the code' ('coding ace'). They have a range of aspects including design, organization, communication, documentation, testing, packaging, shipping,etc. All that matters is 'they get the job done'. I've worked with people I couldn't stand but they got the job done. And I've been friends with people who couldn't finish making coffee. Given a choice, I want to work with the job finishers. When I hear them say "I'll do that", I have absolute confidence I don't have to think about it again. Unless you're creating a social club for senior citizens, you're missing the point of work.