How do you make sure you hire the right programmer?

[AtW]

Ask them nicknames of sockpuppets used on CUK.

HTH

[TheFaQQer]

"...anyone can get some experience by starting or contributing to a free software project. "

Indeed...

(SFW, alternative link if Blogspot is blocked for you.)

Maybe I won't go and install ubuntu this afternoon......

[HairyArsedBloke]

Maybe I won't go and install ubuntu this afternoon......

Yeah, best advertisement for Windows, .Net, etc I've seen in ages.

[threaded]

Ask them nicknames of sockpuppets used on CUK.

HTH

Actually rather a good 'random' question to gauge response from.

[realityhack]

Is that RealityHack on the right, looking keen to get started?

I'm not quite as furry as that!

Mate - I'm NOT a programmer either. Tsk.

[NotAllThere]

...

Programmers like Science fiction.

Programmers need to be quite logical and are therefore good at maths

People who are good at maths are frequently quite musically talented.

So how to hire a programmer? Sod the interview, hire the one that has a cat, smells of booze, plays the guitar, and watches star trek

Star trek isn't science fiction.

If you want a good programmer, don't hire a geek who programs in their spare time. Playing a musical instrument is good, but so long as they're not of the calibre of Mary Poppins' last date. I've rejected people who, in interview, have said they only read technical books.

[Pogle]

Programming is not "generally done under pressure", but it IS stressful, and can lead to mildly excessive drinking (although this is to some extent self levelling as you can't write good code with a bad head).

Good programmers can also be quite introverted, which can, again, lead to drinking in social situations.

The stress of programming can however be relieved with a suitable pet, and as most programmers work long hours, stroking a cat afer a fourteen hour day is probably more appropriate than long walks in the rain with a rottweiler

Programmers like Science fiction.

Programmers need to be quite logical and are therefore good at maths

People who are good at maths are frequently quite musically talented.

So how to hire a programmer? Sod the interview, hire the one that has a cat, smells of booze, plays the guitar, and watches star trek

Simple

You've just described my husband!

[minestrone]

I don't find it stressful but most jobs I have I find myself under heavy pressure. Current job is on such a crap system that they only hire experienced contractors to work on it because it is so needlessly mind boggling complicated. I go in every morning knowing it is going to be a tough day.

What was it Souness said when asked before a cup final about stress (paraphrasing) "this is not stress, not being able to feed your kids is stress"

[RichardCranium]

Simple

You've just described my husband!

That's not very nice!

[d000hg]

Star trek isn't science fiction.

THat's right, it's a conspiracy.

If you want a good programmer, don't hire a geek who programs in their spare time.

The best programmers I ever met love programming, it's their passion. Programming is one of the few jobs you can find people with such an attitude, and it should be capitalised on - not many people would choose to stay late without even thinking of overtime pay, just to satisfy their own desire to make their code do cool stuff. In an office of people who love coding, you don't need to stress them out and lower moral with long hours and deadlines... they do it for fun

AtW strikes me as such a person. I am to an extent as well, though only really on my own projects these days, such is the effect of real life.