When interviewing for a developer it can be difficult because there are a lot of points that have to be kept in mind for example, technical competency is important but the candidate should be able to understand the requirements of the role.
Onboarding a candidate that may not be a good fit could cost the company time and money and the onus is on you then.
We have a few helpful tips that you can use to conduct interviews efficiently.
The Best Tips To Prepare For Developer Interviews
Before the Interview
Before conducting the interview, jot down your steps.
1. Create a balanced Job Description
It is tempting to list every desirable skill in the job description, but remember to strike a balance. If it is too detailed you’ll have a tough time finding the ideal candidate and if it is too low you will have a lot of candidates to weed out.
It would be ideal to list the five essential skills and type of person that would be ideal in the job description. For example, add a liner about what the candidate should mention in the subject line when they send their resume/CV.
Another useful tip that you can use is to include a paragraph or two about your team. Describe their work, describe the challenges you face. This will also help the candidate make an informed decision.
2. Hold a Preliminary Round
A phone conversation can make a huge difference. A topic of discussion could be the latest developments in tech. It would be a good scale to measure your candidate’s capabilities. Some software tools are great for picking the best CVs based on keywords, but since you are going to work with a person, talk to the candidate. Great teams are built on mutual understanding and effective communication.
Also Read: How to Get the Most Bang for the Buck for Your Tech Startup’s Recruiting Strategy
During the Interview
As it is difficult to make judgment calls based on an hour’s observation, there is a huge risk of missing out on great candidates if you are not observant enough. Therefore, these two tips could be handy.
1. Use Situational Questions
Describe a situation, involve areas that are beyond the candidate’s expertise. For example, describe the place, the problem at hand, and the people involved. You could also add the risks associated and the stakes and the time limit. Try to make it as vivid as possible.
Their answer will help you understand their thought process and give you insight as to if they are the ideal candidate or not.
2. Pair Programming
Pair Programming is when two programmers work at one workstation. They take turns to review each other’s lines of code and brainstorm ideas for improvement. Though it is time-consuming and not a standard part of interview process, it can nevertheless be a good way to assess a candidate’s competency.
A good practice would be to pass a problem you have been working on to the candidate and see if they are able to collaborate with you. It is important to make the candidate feel comfortable.
After the Interview
Now you have a data set of candidate responses, answers and your own observations, now you can start the elimination process, here are some helpful tips..
1. Match the answers to your requirements
Requirements cover everything- right from the necessary level of competence in the technical skill to the candidate’s attitude. Here’s where you take a judgement call. A developer may be great at their job, but if they have a sore attitude, that will not help in the company’s growth.
2. Look at the Candidate’s capabilities
There’s a difference between academic, research-oriented programming and programming for a real-world problem. Real-world problems need solutions that can fix the immediate issue at hand. It would be ideal if they are curious and persistent to get to the root of the issue. This will be your deciding factor.
3. Assess the Candidate’s Approach to Learning
In the deadline-driven corporate world, time is of essence. There is so much pressure on performance that it is difficult to find time for learning. Therefore it would be ideal to find someone who is willing to take time out to learn new skills. You need someone who is willing to learn and improve their skills. This is especially important in today’s rapidly changing corporate world.
Also Read: Tech Interview Skills 101: Questions All Tech Recruiters Must Ask
If you are looking for candidates to join your team, you can check out CodeQuotient’s alumni. CodeQuotient’s mission is to bridge the gap between industry requirements and talent available in the market. It focuses on building industry-specific skills, i.e. the skills required in the market right now and in the near future.
Their alumni have been successfully placed in leading tech companies and since they are trained by industry experts, they know what is expected from them in the corporate world. You can check out their page here.Â
