5 Links: Tech Recruiting

Topics: HRExaminer, John Sumser, Recruiting Strategy, Sourcing, by John Sumser

Tech Recruiting depends on two variables: the organization's size, and the competence/connectedness of the recruiter.

Tech Recruiting depends on two variables: the organization’s size, and the competence/connectedness of the recruiter.

The thing about Tech Recruiting is that the best way to do it depends on two variables. The organization’s size determines the criticality of a potential hire. The competence/connectedness of the recruiter is the other variable.

This week’s links look at various approaches that small tech companies take.

  • On Hiring Good Engineers
    Preaches mindset over CV. “A simple approach to interviewing doesn’t deserve a long blog post. I ask questions which reveal the professional inquisitiveness characteristic of problem solvers. The questions are mostly freeform, and they do not require paper and pencil. The questions are hard to impossible to prepare for, and in most cases the specifics of the candidate’s answer matter less than the way the answer is delivered. How long the answer is, the degree of animation, articulation of clear opinions.”
  • Hiring Developers: You’re Doing It Wrong
    Interviews are insufficent. Whiteboard coding exercises don’t capture nuance. Better to judge code that you will actually use and examine the candidate’s mindset.
  • How to Hire a Programmer
    Seven steps. Focus on fit after you weed out the wannabes.
  • How We Hire Developers at Treehouse
    Four filter questions, interview, generate code that will be used by the company.
  • How Effective Are Tech Interviews
    Read the comments

Bonus Links

  • I Fu**ed Up
    Legendary programmer talks about the fact that coding always involve screwups (bugs). A coder who can’t say “I f***ed up” isn’t a good coder.

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About the author

John Sumser

John Sumser is a principal analyst for HRExaminer, an independent analyst firm covering HR Technology and the intersection of people, tech, and work. John’s mix of experience over the course of his career gives him a broad and unique perspective on the industry. Like anyone trying to process a lot of information, he is two or three steps ahead in some areas and still learning about others. Sumser’s work includes deep research into the nooks and crannies of HR Technology to identify and explain rapidly evolving trends. Built on a foundation of engineering, design, and philosophy, John’s seeks to understand and advise clients on where their technology works best, for whom, and in what context. Each year, John examines the insides of hundreds of companies, their products, and ecosystems. He delivers vendor analysis by building the framework from which to deliver the critique. He is constantly connecting and making visible the front end of change. He can help you see the path of evolution and the risks on the journey. The HRExaminer is Sumser’s vehicle for understanding and explaining the inner workings of the industry. With three weekly podcasts, and written commentary, he covers emerging ideas, the state of the industry, and the executives who operate it.

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