Comment Re:Agreed (Score 1) 574
This is a tricky issue.
Often times you would think that a person can solve a problem on his feet just because you could do so. But probably you've been thinking about that problem and in a certain way for a while.
I find in interviews that asking hard questions won't always give you good results. But that you are passing up the opportunity to hire someone smart.
Experienced developers bring a key thing to the table: EXPERIENCE
Experience tells you how to run a software project the best way, how to get out of a bind, how to write code that survives in the wild. They may be creative or may not be so. Maybe you're looking for a PhD?
I haven't found the Microsoft / Google interviewing technique very useful. I basically just look for people that CAN learn, have a proven track record of learning, and are willing to learn.
Expecting a candidate to tell you right then and there what you want to hear is not a very effective selection criteria (it can also scare away good people from your company).