After interviewing, find something to doubt

Posted: 20 months ago (2010-06-04 15:40:37 UTC )

After you've interviewed a job candidate, and you're considering them after, find something to doubt.

It doesn't have to be something big. But nobody is 100% perfect. There's some little thing they did wrong, or just in a way that irritates you. Let that bug you a little, for a few minutes.

Now come back to thinking about them. You've probably already made your decision (says Malcolm Gladwell). But it'll be easier to be just a little less biased if you let that something bother you for a couple of minutes and then see if they're quite as awesome as you remembered.

You may also discover something you want to go back and test. Did something bother you in a database question, and now you'd like to call a reference for the job where they did a lot of SQL programming? Do they handle pointers in a correct but nonstandard way and now you feel like maybe you should read that section of their resume again, or email them a follow-up question? These are potentially productive urges.

Don't talk yourself out of people that are unquestionably good. But it's easy to let your standards slip a bit. Let yourself be irritated, just a tiny bit, and you'll find it's easier to go back and look again with slightly fresher eyes.