[irrational]

I've been working in the industry for 25 years. I've never received even 5 minutes of training on how to interview people, yet I've been asked to interview people dozens of times. This is everywhere from small companies up to huge Fortune 100 companies. The skill set to be an effective programmer and to be an effective interviewer are not the same. But, I don't do interviewing often enough that I've felt the need to seek out specific training on how to do it. So I basically end up winging it when I'm asked to participate in another interview.

[aynsof]

Before you're allowed to interview candidates at Amazon, you have to complete a full-day course on how to interview. It covers the kinds of questions you should be asking, potential pitfalls, and what contributes to a hire/no hire decision.

[yread]

The most important lesson in interviewing I've learnt is to shut up. If you're doing the talking you're not learning about the candidate. Say as little as possible, if they ask good followup questions they will figure stuff out (see also above comment about curiosity).

[pault]

One of my most frustrating interview experiences was when the lead engineer constantly interrupted me in the middle of my answers, clearly looking to get an answer that confirmed his existing opinions, then stopped the interview because we were out of time. He didn’t let me finish answering a single question, then rejected me because my technical knowledge was “too shallow”. I’m glad I never had to work with the guy.

[convolvatron]

This seems wrong, generally my groups try to strategize a little as we are getting together to discuss the candidate. making sure we actually covered the important stuff, how to press on soft spots, etc.

It’s group work just like everything else. slowly mix in junior people to train them, but make sure there are enough senior interviewers to make sure we make a decent evaluation.

[walshemj]

When I worked at BT in the UK you had to do a 2.5 day residential course and pass it before you where allowed to interview people.