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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 WHY WE’RE BAD AT HIRING (AND HOW TO FIX IT)

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 WHY WE’RE BAD AT HIRING (AND HOW TO FIX IT)

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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Lead Software Development Engineer @kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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AdaDevelopersAcademy.org @kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 HOW TO BE AWESOME AT INTERVIEWING Know What You’re Looking For Find People Who Have It Keep Improving Your Process

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 DEFINE YOUR CULTURE • Start the conversation early • Refuse to accept vagueness • Generate “Belief/ Therefore” statements

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 "WE BELIEVE IN RESPECT, THEREFORE WE WILL SHOW UP ON TIME FOR ALL MEETINGS."

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 FIND PEOPLE WHO HAVE IT

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 TYPICAL HIRING PROCESS 1) Job posted 2) Resumé and/or code samples reviewed 3) Initial phone screen(s) 4) Technical phone screen(s) 5) Interview

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Interview Day! @kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 INTERVIEW DAY! • Have a schedule • Set expectations • Have diverse interviewers • Allow for breaks

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 MAKE A GAME PLAN • Assign areas of focus • Have a hand-off plan • Coordinate questions

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 SETTLING IN • Start with a simple conversation • Double-check for red flags • Learn how they communicate

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING • Hypothetical questions are game-able • Ask for the story of specific situations • Keep in mind they want to get hired!

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 COLLABORATION AUDITION • Plan an app • Focus on high-level design • Jr - simple MVC app • Mid/Sr - OO game • Sr/Lead - distributed API

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 PAIRING AUDITION • Not everyone pairs • Let them use their setup • Pick a kata or project you’re both familiar (but not intimate) with

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 PRESENTATION AUDITION • Have candidate teach you something • It needn't be technical • Set clear expectations about length, format, and investment of time

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 INTERVIEW LUNCH - AN OPPORTUNITY!

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 AFTER THE INTERVIEW • Record impressions immediately • What would change your mind?

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 DECISIONS, DECISIONS.. • Gather all feedback, then discuss as a group • Find a consensus • Follow-up interviews can be problematic • Set candidate expectations for response and meet them

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 • Don’t make it personal • Be respectful • Explain potential for reapplication HANDLING REJECTION

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KEEP IMPROVING YOUR PROCESS @kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 WE IMPROVE WHAT WE MEASURE • Register predictions ahead of time • Discover your biases • Keep tabs on people you turn down

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 7 INTERVIEW ANTI-PATTERNS

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 GPA, SAT, GRE • GPA useless after 2-3 years • More interesting to see what was studied than test results • SAT and GRE are for judging academic performance only • High School transcripts = LOL

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 “NEGGING” • “You’re not qualified for this job -- I’m not sure how you got this interview” • “You’re qualified but I’m not feeling a spark. Convince me you’re the right person for this job.”

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 “SUBMIT A PR TO APPLY” • What about the well- documented barriers to OSS? • You’re asking for free work for the CHANCE of a job • Many people can’t tip their hand that they’re looking for new employment

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 GROUP/SPEED INTERVIEWS • Disrespectful of individuals • Filters for people who can attract your attention

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 PUZZLE QUESTIONS • Google on puzzle questions: “a complete waste of time” • Filter for people who have the same context as you • Only serve to make you feel smart

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 WHITEBOARD CODING • It is artificial to code by writing on the wall • Adversarial rather than collaborative

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 FIZZBUZZ • At best: a time waster • At worst: an insult

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Steven Mullin @kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015 KERRI MILLER (@KERRIZOR) • glass artist • Vespa mechanic • lighting designer • author & teacher • player of games • software developer

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@kerrizor RailsConf 2015