[xtracto]

It's complicated. At my last startup (web application) I was in charge of hiring for the technical team. I've got an application from a guy who really really wanted to work there. But the truth is that he didn't have basic coding skills (in that, he couldn't do FizzBuzz level of coding). I really tried to get him in but in reality we would not have been able to put him in any position.

I was sad because he sent the best "cover letters" I have read ever. And I almost never care about cover letters.

[mtc010170]

Oh wow, that it sad.

Based on the responses, I think I should clarify:

People that show that they want to be there often make for excellent teammates, because they actually care (the old missionaries vs mercenaries idea), and will often be willing to put in the effort to fill whatever gaps they lack, while creating a positive work environment.

Plus, they might have a really good feel for the product and market, because they're genuinely interested in it. You want people like that on your team.

Now, of course - businesses are not a charity that only employ people because they want to be there. There is a minimum bar of skills required and plenty of other traits that matter. And on the employer side, there's a ton of factors there too (budget, existing skills of the team, etc etc).

So yes, I was generalizing. But in general: I'd take someone who wants to be there with high aptitude who has things to learn over someone who has skills but doesn't actually give a crap about the product or company any day of the week, for the types of companies I'm trying to build. That doesn't mean my or your companies needs/goals are the same.

[LordKano]

Someone that passionate can probably be mentored into the skill set necessary to do the job.

I spent a year at a TA at a University and in that time I had two students who were really stellar. They were outstanding programmers. They paid attention detail and wrote elegant but easy to read code that worked. I took the time to offer both of them my assistance if they needed any help after graduation.

I play video games with one of them. The other one got out of CS and changed her major to something art related.

[slingnow]

What does the conclusion of your comment have to do with supporting your argument?

[andrew_]

If you're still measuring candidates with leetcode and fizzbuzz, I'm afraid you're part of the problem in with broken hiring in tech. I just hope the candidates you pass up trickle down my way.

[Dudeman112]

I mean, if the candidate can't do fizzbuzz I doubt there is much programming of any kind they can do.

It's a ridiculously basic problem. It doesn't filter good candidates, it filters terrible candidates.

[wyclif]

He did qualify that: he said "FizzBuzz level of coding", which might not have been the actual FizzBuzz test. But his point was that the guy couldn't write code at the level they were hiring for.