It depends on who you want to hire. 1. Do you want a team member who can plan, investigate and research unforeseen problems, brainstorm and contribute to the c

It depends on who you want to hire. 1. Do you want a team member who can plan, investigate and research unforeseen problems, brainstorm and contribute to the code? Then the one on whiteboards is bullshit UNLESS it is a brainstorming question - with a laptop next to it - and you are both working on the problem together - and ideally neither of you know the answer. 2. Or does you company have a clear knowledge of what lines of code are needed to be written for the next 5 years. Then sure, go ahead and do the whiteboard interview. Or just train a monkey, at least they are cute and cheap. A whiteboard interview typically just tests memory recall under a stressed situation. It might be what you need if you require a hacker for a Die Hard sequel where there is only 90seconds to figure out how to line up the encrypted polycube nano-algorithm before nuclear meltdown is initiated. Or if you require a monkey.