[BBlarat]

I like Jeff Atwoods approach[0], hire the candidate for a short project (2-3 weeks) let the candidate a feel for the product and team while getting paid. And at the same time let the team get to know the candidate. I would love to go through a hiring process like that :)

[0]http://blog.codinghorror.com/we-hire-the-best-just-like-ever...

[ryandrake]

Unfortunately, that approach filters out already-employed people whose employers do not permit them to work simultaneously for someone else and/or impose IP ownership rules (We own everything you write inside and outside of work).

[dpeck]

This doesn't work for people already in stable jobs.