[clue-talk] Assessing technical skills?

[David L. Willson]

My very brief opinion on this is that companies wait too long, and then hire too
quickly.  With some forethought, it might be simple:

When you realize you're going to need help soon, start writing down the tasks you need
Joe Geek to be able to accomplish right outta the gate.  Similarly, write down the
things you expect Joe to be able to do six months in.  Then, as the mainstay of the
interview, HAVE HIM DO THEM.  Watch him, and ask him to describe what he's doing and why.

This approach pays off best when the interviewer understands Joe's job, but it works
well when the interviewer doesn't, and is interviewing many candidates, also.  Yes, it
exerts extra pressure on the applicant, and they might sweat up their suit a little, but
...  well, tough.  A man who understands and loves his geekery is usually not terrible
at explaining what he's doing and the reasons why he does things a particular way.