| I give all my juniors a score from ~2-4, which is a multiplier on the estimate for any task they're assigned. If it would take me N hours to do something, I expect them to take no more N*M hours to finish the task, and if at any point they feel that estimate is wrong they should let me know. Usually it takes them 2-3 tries to realize that this system is in place to help ensure: 1. They understand the scope of the task 2. They don't spin their wheels too long on any one thing. When hiring juniors (mostly interns to direct hire), the two biggest things I look at are: 1. Do you do things outside of your coursework to enrich yourself? 2. Do you ask a ton of questions in the interview? The best intern we ever had (he is at Apple now) asked so many questions during the usually 45 min interview that I think it went to almost 2 hours. He was a phenomenally conscientious hire and managed his own time impeccably well. |