Side projects are not a reliable metric. I have worked with fantastic developers -- ones who I'd love to work with again -- who did not do side projects. These

Side projects are not a reliable metric. I have worked with fantastic developers -- ones who I'd love to work with again -- who did not do side projects. These were generally people who did really great work while using normal hours, but who would put in the hours when necessary, such as during a deadline push. Often their organizational skills and general engineering hygiene helped keep the crazy hours at bay. At night these people went home to their families and led their lives. Some were good woodworkers or were into other hobbies, some did sports, some taught classes. Oh, a few wrote code [I do], but not that many. Don't get me wrong: Side projects can be an interesting window into how a candidate works and thinks. But if you use them as a hard requirement then I'm pretty sure you're missing out on some great talent.