As a former head of HR for three successful start-ups and now as the founder of my own, I (in the words of our former president) feel your pain. I've reviewed 1

As a former head of HR for three successful start-ups and now as the founder of my own, I (in the words of our former president) feel your pain. I've reviewed 10's of thousands of resumes and interviewed over 1,000 candidates so I know what you're going through. Your points are well taken and insightful - and while they're especially true of technical hiring, they are also applicable for all start-up hiring. A smart person can learn the tech skills you need but it is impossible to impart passion and an intuitive understanding of culture where it isn't already present. I eventually honed my interviews down to one question: "Please describe your most significant team accomplishment, where you were a key member of the team." Then I'd follow that with numerous follow up questions until I really understood the person's role. This will uncover the candidate's passions, communications skills, leadership abilities, and their technical prowess. Then I'd ask the same question about another accomplishment. Good luck. I'll write you a note on the side with my contact info. I'd be happy to talk over any "people stuff" if you'd like.