Hiring Developers: You're Doing It Wrong
As a former head of HR for three successful start-ups and now as the founder of my own, I (in the words of our former president) feel your pain. I've reviewed 10's of thousands of resumes and interviewed over 1,000 candidates so I know what you're going through.<p>Your points are well taken and insightful - and while they're especially true of technical hiring, they are also applicable for all start-up hiring. A smart person can learn the tech skills you need but it is  impossible to impart passion and an intuitive understanding of culture where it isn't already present.<p>I eventually honed my interviews down to one question: "Please describe your most significant team accomplishment, where you were a key member of the team."<p>Then I'd follow that with numerous follow up questions until I really understood the person's role. This will uncover the candidate's passions, communications skills, leadership abilities, and their technical prowess. Then I'd ask the same question about another accomplishment.<p>Good luck. I'll write you a note on the side with my contact info. I'd be happy to talk over any "people stuff" if you'd like.