Blog
TECH INTERVIEWS
A technical interview framework for startups to hire great developers. Reducing bias while delivering a great candidate experience.
Last updated: May 2026
Structured Interviews
Structured interviews ask every candidate the same questions and score them against the same criteria. Google's research shows structured interviews are twice as predictive as unstructured ones. Even startups see huge gains from a simple scoring rubric.
Format
Live coding and take-home assignments each have tradeoffs:
- Live coding: Real-time thought process observation, but risks performance anxiety
- Take-home: Evaluates real dev environment skills, but high candidate burden
- My recommendation: 30-minute pair programming + a small bug-fix task
System Design
For senior hires, system design interviews are essential. But you don't need Google-scale problems. In a startup context, tradeoffs under resource constraints matter most. Focus on whether candidates can articulate why they choose specific technologies.
Reducing Bias
Concrete steps to run fair interviews:
- Share questions in advance; avoid surprise tests
- Have multiple interviewers score independently, then calibrate
- Evaluate values alignment and collaboration style, not 'culture fit'
- Train interviewers to recognize common cognitive biases
Contact
Need interview design support?
I can design your technical interviews, create scoring rubrics, or join as an interviewer.