How to Hire a Programmer

I spent most of my work career in the software development business. I hired many programmers. Programmers are different beasts than most job seekers. And interviewing programmer applicants can be a challenge. (They may not look at you. And perhaps vice versa.)

So I created a just-for-fun software developer interview question list. This may be all you need.

4 questions:

1.  What's your favorite sci-fi book?

2.  What's your favorite Monty Python line?

3.  What musical instrument do you play?

4.  What's the name of your cat?

*Answers in the back of the book

If you get positive answers from all 4, hire that person now.

* Back of the book

1. Any sci-fi book will do. Extra points for Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" or Heinlein's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" or some well known classic. The point is not some specific book but rather just being a sci-fi fan. It indicates a love of technology, especially technology that doesn't exist yet. [A digression.  I am a big fan of Neal Stephenson's books.  If you haven't read his Cryptonomicon, do - hackers, cryptology, WWII, corporate espionage ...  "a tour-de-force".  And then try his Baroque CycleTrilogy  - medieval techno sci-fi.] Here's a flowchart for choosing a Sci-Fi book just right for you. (From NPR)

2. Just knowing a Python quote will do. My favs - "You're all individuals" or "Tis only a flesh wound" or "We're destitute. I've got no option but to sell you all for scientific experiments". The point here is having a sense of the absurd. Putting up with the absurdities of software development with humor is a success indicator. Can you quote from Hitchhiker's Guide & Monty Python?

3. Any instrument will do. There is a creative aspect to programming and I've found musicians/artists make good programmers. Programming is more like composing or painting than engineering.  And like painters, programmers just code over their mistakes.

4. Just having a cat as a pet will do. Cats are night-time creatures & prefer to be left alone - much like programmers.  And managing programmers is like herding cats. If they own a ferret or a snake, end the interview.

Copyright © 2018 Dave Hoplin