4 ms·

If you're hiring a software engineer and that person programs in their spare time, it is a pretty clear indication that they not only want to be a software engi

If you're hiring a software engineer and that person programs in their spare time, it is a pretty clear indication that they not only want to be a software engineer but also enjoys programming. I used to ask this question, but now I've generalized it to asking if someone has any hobbies. I find passion in any area to a good indicator of the type of people I want to hire.

hackinthebochs 15y ago
The problem is that programming in your spare time is not a necessary condition for enjoying or having passion for programming. Further, its also discriminatory against people with families, or other hobbies, or against people who don't want to do the same thing that they did 40-50 hours during the week on the weekends too.
- adbge 15y ago
  Let's be clear: it's only discriminatory against people that don't have pet projects. Having a family or other hobbies and having pet projects are not mutually exclusive.
  - petercooper 15y ago
    Exactly. It's hardly as if there's a lack of time. The average geek, in my experience, seems to waste more than enough time playing computer games, watching movies, or bunkum on the TV. It's not a giant leap to suggest that people actually using their spare time to work on aspects relating to their career are, and should be, doing better than people who treat it as a 9 to 5. (Oh, and posting on HN.. hehe)
    - ascendant 15y ago
      So doing things other than thinking about work is "wasting time", huh? I guess as an employer you want to hire people that will grind themselves into dust making you rich, but as an employee I work to live, not the other way around.
  - pyohio2 15y ago
    Really? Try having a 18 month old & a 3.5 year old and single parenting.
    - kkowalczyk 15y ago
      And yet here you are, demonstrating that you have time to read Hacker News and participate in the discussion. I'm not saying that parenting isn't time consuming but it's not as good an excuse when it's so obvious that your lack of time for more programming is also caused by much less noble activities than parenting.
      - Fliko 15y ago
        That is a terrible argument as downtime is essential for humans to stay productive. Of course people are going to watch some TV with their families, or play an hour of games to unwind a little, or go watch some sports game with their buddies, or spend god knows how many hours practicing their musical instruments. This is what keeps people sane, productive, balanced, and happy. Having other hobbies after work is generally a good sign that the person is mature, and has good perspective on life.
pdubs 15y ago
>I used to ask this question, but now I've generalized it to asking if someone has any hobbies. I think this is far better than "pet projects". Some people would rather socialize, read literature, play music, play or watch sports, work on cars/home improvement, paint, travel, camp, write, get involved in politics, read the news, or any number of things! Rest and relaxation are particularly helpful to mental health. Even playing video games, watching movies (with a certain amount of moderation), or doing things that are more classically endorphin-releasing "fun" than programming contribute to a well-balanced individual. I'd rather hire someone with a sense of balance in their life.
- nasmorn 15y ago
  I personally enjoy life more when I only work about 40 hours per week at the computer. Also since I have a small daughter I prefer not to spend extra time in meetings. I also like to travel a lot so I need time off. On the plus side (for my clients) I generally feel very productive once these conditions are met.

hackinthebochs 15y ago

The problem is that programming in your spare time is not a necessary condition for enjoying or having passion for programming. Further, its also discriminatory against people with families, or other hobbies, or against people who don't want to do the same thing that they did 40-50 hours during the week on the weekends too.

adbge 15y ago
Let's be clear: it's only discriminatory against people that don't have pet projects. Having a family or other hobbies and having pet projects are not mutually exclusive.
- petercooper 15y ago
  Exactly. It's hardly as if there's a lack of time. The average geek, in my experience, seems to waste more than enough time playing computer games, watching movies, or bunkum on the TV. It's not a giant leap to suggest that people actually using their spare time to work on aspects relating to their career are, and should be, doing better than people who treat it as a 9 to 5. (Oh, and posting on HN.. hehe)
  - ascendant 15y ago
    So doing things other than thinking about work is "wasting time", huh? I guess as an employer you want to hire people that will grind themselves into dust making you rich, but as an employee I work to live, not the other way around.
- pyohio2 15y ago
  Really? Try having a 18 month old & a 3.5 year old and single parenting.
  - kkowalczyk 15y ago
    And yet here you are, demonstrating that you have time to read Hacker News and participate in the discussion. I'm not saying that parenting isn't time consuming but it's not as good an excuse when it's so obvious that your lack of time for more programming is also caused by much less noble activities than parenting.
    - Fliko 15y ago
      That is a terrible argument as downtime is essential for humans to stay productive. Of course people are going to watch some TV with their families, or play an hour of games to unwind a little, or go watch some sports game with their buddies, or spend god knows how many hours practicing their musical instruments. This is what keeps people sane, productive, balanced, and happy. Having other hobbies after work is generally a good sign that the person is mature, and has good perspective on life.

pdubs 15y ago

>I used to ask this question, but now I've generalized it to asking if someone has any hobbies. I think this is far better than "pet projects". Some people would rather socialize, read literature, play music, play or watch sports, work on cars/home improvement, paint, travel, camp, write, get involved in politics, read the news, or any number of things! Rest and relaxation are particularly helpful to mental health. Even playing video games, watching movies (with a certain amount of moderation), or doing things that are more classically endorphin-releasing "fun" than programming contribute to a well-balanced individual. I'd rather hire someone with a sense of balance in their life.

nasmorn 15y ago
I personally enjoy life more when I only work about 40 hours per week at the computer. Also since I have a small daughter I prefer not to spend extra time in meetings. I also like to travel a lot so I need time off. On the plus side (for my clients) I generally feel very productive once these conditions are met.