[rikf]

The only recruitment process I know of that works is.

Step 1) Send the candidate a small unattended coding test they can do in a couple of hours. If they pass great if they dont offer them feedback.

Step 2) Invite them in for a pair programming test this should take max one hour, they can spend 15-30 minutes with one or two people on the team solving a problem.

You wouldn't believe the amount of people who have amazing looking CV's but when it comes to actually coding they just are not up to scratch.

There is also obviously personality fit and other subtleties but thats the basics.

[nawitus]

Note that many programmers get stress from the interview and perform substantially worse.

[Homunculiheaded]

"If they pass great if they dont offer them feedback."

I've only personally encountered it once, but if you ask someone to spend a few hours of their free time on your coding challenge you absolutely owe it them to give them feedback, even if you don't like what they've produced.