I've hired quite a few people over the years and had an excellent success rate. I look for a few things,
1. Cultural compatibility. Ego generally not good. Wanting to work with others - good. I've knocked back "stars" because they'd try to derail a good team
2. Basic competency in the areas needed. If I need real-time knowledge or distributed systems, show me enough that you know the traps.
3. Ambition/commitment. If they're too ambitious they won't last. If they lack commitment, they won't strive.
Ultimately, it's about creating the culture where willing and capable people will fit.
Someone mentioned about their wife being an expert and not being hired despite HR recommendation. I've seen this on several levels before, "I like this person so they should be hired". However, HR do not understand culture of teams, relevant skills, etc - although they will tell you that they do. "When I said they need to be able to program machine language, I didn't mean stacking vending machines". My example is flippant (I'm tired, not thinking), but the idea is there. HR don't have the knowledge in most organisations I've worked for.
1. Cultural compatibility. Ego generally not good. Wanting to work with others - good. I've knocked back "stars" because they'd try to derail a good team 2. Basic competency in the areas needed. If I need real-time knowledge or distributed systems, show me enough that you know the traps. 3. Ambition/commitment. If they're too ambitious they won't last. If they lack commitment, they won't strive.
Ultimately, it's about creating the culture where willing and capable people will fit. Someone mentioned about their wife being an expert and not being hired despite HR recommendation. I've seen this on several levels before, "I like this person so they should be hired". However, HR do not understand culture of teams, relevant skills, etc - although they will tell you that they do. "When I said they need to be able to program machine language, I didn't mean stacking vending machines". My example is flippant (I'm tired, not thinking), but the idea is there. HR don't have the knowledge in most organisations I've worked for.