| What else can you do that would be an accurate simulation of their job that only takes 1hr? First 1/2 hour: Discuss their code samples in detail -- asking pertinent questions about each as to what they do, and why they did things they way they did. Drill down for detail, ask how they might have done things differently for different use cases, etc. Second 1/2 hour: Bring out some of your own production code and do the same (allowing them space to ask questions this time). Works best if you let them see something that's a bit "raw", i.e. quick and dirty, which you know you could have done a lot better if you had more time or knew better about the requirements (or perhaps you're simply older and wiser now). In both sessions, nuance (both in what they can observe, and how they chose to express themselves) is key. And it'll come out a lot more freely than in in a whiteboard interrogation precisely because they interaction will be natural, uncontrived and unforced. Simple, non-confrontational and 100% reflective of what engineering work is like. That's what we do during the day, 99% of the time -- digging up (sometimes woefully) less-than-perfect components of production systems, and trying to make them a little bit better. But as to how often we drag someone to a conference room, throw them at a smudgey whiteboard with creaky pens and no eraser, and force them to solve some abstract problems while we boredly look at our watch, and interrupt them with hints? Basically never. Except, that is, in coding interviews. |