Both things can be true at the same time. Someone fresh out of school should expect to jump through hoops. A company that's looking for senior developers who'

Both things can be true at the same time. Someone fresh out of school should expect to jump through hoops. A company that's looking for senior developers who've Been There, Done That, should expect to have to empower, reward, and listen to them. But senior developers really need to understand that there are Chameleons among them, who have floated from job to job, look like they have all the right skills, but can't perform. Companies need to be able to distinguish those Chameleons from the real deal, and I have found that Cookie-Cutter Technical Interviews are a necessary step. I think I've kept out more Chameleons than I've lost good candidates. Or rather, I've determined that it's worth administering the Cookie-Cutter Technical Interview, because I've concluded that the cost of hiring a Chameleon is higher than the cost of making one of the many honestly good candidates walk away in distaste. I also have to emphasize how empowered, rewarded, and listened-to the candidate will be, and that they'll be surrounded by other senior programmers with great skills that they'll have fun interacting with...