Choosing Techies!

Recruiting Talent

My top ten qualities to look for in an individual contributor techie:

1. Evidence of Clarity of Thought and Purpose 
2. Relevant Technical Skills (more is better) Have a hands on test
3. Aptitude test/ Problem solving abilities
4. Evidence of a Die hard Attitude
5. Long attention span
6. Good Written and Oral Communication Skills
7. Individual contribution evidences from work history
8. Evidence of good academics in case work history is absent
9. Evidence of good judgement and character (ask for examples)
10. Good References

Guidelines for Technical Interviews:

1. Ask him/her to list her 3 strongest areas
2. Do a thorough technical first round interview covering the basics of each area
3. Ask to solve several technical problems on the fly
4. Criticize their approach and gauge their reaction
5. Ask what technical challenges were faced
6. Ask what problems were solved and how
7. Ask what they liked and did not like and why?
8. Ask what their favourite author and book is (this separates the intellectuals from the rest)
9. Never ask people who are incompetent in your opinion to interview! These people usually hire their "clones"

Guidelines for HR Interviews:

1. Never delegate short-listing especially based on the resume. People who write good resumes may not be the best techies and vice versa
2. Never judge just by the places they have worked in
3. Look for verbal and visual cues during interviews
4. Learn to spot a liar
5. Ask uncomfortable questions and gauge reaction (anger, withdrawal, resignation, stress etc.)
6. Never offer based on "Current CTC" you may miss out a lot of good talent

Lastly a good interview is a two way process, so :

1. Listen to the candidate, 
2. Ask how they heard about you
3. Ask who else they know in your company
4. Ask for their feedback on your recruitment process
5. Always thank them for their time!

-Milind K Thombre

Comments welcome!