The field of programming is different than many other professional and technical fields for several reasons. Here is a guide on interviewing potential programmers for your next project.
There is some debate as to what a programmer should be considered. Are they artists? Are they skilled craftsman? Are they really just very technically oriented engineers? The answer to these questions is almost always going to be a resounding “yes”, and depending on whom you ask the ranking might differ, but all three elements need to be present in the successful programmer. So, what are some good questions to ask programmers?
The questions that are recommended for job interviews with prospective programmers that are seeking positions with IT departments in larger companies gives some clues to this multifaceted approach. The first group of questions usually deals with education. The educational background of a programmer reveals their preparation for the engineer element of the job. The educational back ground extends beyond formal schooling. Some of the best programmers have not come armed with the best academic records although a college degree in a computer related field is certainly a plus for any programming specialist.
In order to bring some order to the entire Information Technology (IT) field, Certification programs have become popular. The certification programs are very specific and are based on various aspects of the field rather than on the overall picture as would be the case with formal academic schooling. So, a determination of the schooling and certification standing of the potential programmer would be a good first step to establish that they have the knowledge to translate their imaginations into reality.
This is necessary although it may just be the intangibles such as imagination and artistry that make a programmer successful. The artistic side of the programmer is something that can neither be taught nor reflected by certification programs. It is really going to be a close look at past work and accomplishment that will determine this. This is why many job descriptions for programmers will state an educational requirement qualified by the fact that equivalent experience is also acceptable.
So, when you have finished asking questions concerning education, background, and previous work experience, most IT personnel specialists recommend some questions regarding personality and personal integrity. They have developed profiles of successful programmers and have an idea of what qualities make a programmer best suited for success in an organizational setting where they would play such a pivotal role. It is not an easy task to determine the best programmer. The programmer is a mix of artist and craftsman and he is working in a field that is changing daily.
Aazdak Alisimo writes about computer programming issues for ProgrammingCompanies.com, where you can find programming companies for your simple and complex projects.
