[whitej125]

I ask this question - always - but it goes like this.

Q1: Rate yourself 1-10 on X language? Their answer is Y (and almost always 7).

Q2: What's the difference between a Y and a Y+1?

Q2 is real question with Q1 being there just for framing. Some people simply state that the difference between a 7 and an 8 is "just more experience". TBC, that's not a wrong answer.

However what gets me really excited is when this line of questioning shines a light on what the candidate is curious about, or interesting in learning next. It goes a step beyond just self-awareness that there is always more to learn. To me it's a signal that this person has a plan and a drive to grow oneself.

While I do not make binary hiring decisions on this question or any question; I can vividly remember the answers I was given to this line of questions by some of the best engineers I've worked with.

[eska]

Couldn’t you just ask „what are you curious to learn?“ directly, instead of beating around the bush with awkward questions like „what would you rate yourself?“ that people have to „game“? It’s just another way of asking „what’s your biggest weakness?“ with the obligatory „my perfectionism“ response. I just skip the fluff and communicate openly.

[fsckboy]

>I just skip the fluff and communicate openly.

that doesn't mean people don't game the answers.

[kohbo]

I like this reasoning but would rather ask this question about a technology rather than a language. That may just be my particular field, though.