Our reading notes

We Hire the Best, Just Like Everyone Else

Article by Jeff Atwood

A challenge to vague “best people” hiring and zero-doubt interview decisions, including the risk of rejecting capable candidates on thin evidence.

What to look for

01
Specify what performance in this role requires before judging the candidate.
02
Examine whether confidence in a candidate reflects evidence or familiarity.

Keep in mind

A polemical essay, not a validated interview instrument. Use it to question assumptions alongside a structured hiring process.

Put it to work

Try this next

Review one recent rejection and distinguish missing evidence from evidence that the candidate could not do the job.

Get the hiring template

Notes and exercises by Awesome CTO. The original work belongs to Jeff Atwood.

Work through the bigger question.

Our hiring guide connects the reading to a practical approach and a template.