Why Developers Should Become Interviewers

A Personal Journey of Professional Growth Beyond Coding

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

As software engineers, we often focus on honing our technical skills. Still, there's a crucial aspect of professional growth that many of us overlook: becoming an interviewer. Today, I want to share my journey into technical interviewing and why I believe it's an invaluable experience for every software engineer.

I recognize that not all companies provide opportunities for engineers to become interviewers. Organizational structures, team sizes, hiring processes, and resource constraints can limit such chances. If your current workplace doesn't offer interview participation, this article might serve more as a future reference or inspiration for when such opportunities arise.

The Initial Hesitation

When the opportunity to become an interviewer arose, I was filled with curiosity and apprehension. On one hand, I saw it as a chance to improve my communication skills. As an engineer who spends most of my time with code, the prospect of more exposure to people, especially unfamiliar faces, was appealing.

However, the responsibility weighed heavily on me. The thought of evaluating candidates and making decisions that could significantly impact their lives was daunting. Besides this, I harbored a specific fear: what if a candidate mentioned or asked something I didn't know? The thought of being exposed as technically inadequate terrified me. How could I possibly evaluate someone when there might be gaps in my own knowledge?

My impostor syndrome kicked into high gear, whispering that I wasn't technically skilled enough to judge others. These fears initially held me back from taking the plunge.

A Shift in Perspective

As I gained more interviewing experience, I realized something profound: not knowing everything is perfectly acceptable. It's an opportunity. When a candidate mentions a technology, approach, or concept unfamiliar to me, it becomes a chance to learn.

Interviews are not about proving I know everything, but about understanding the candidate's problem-solving skills, communication, and potential. If a candidate introduces something new, that's a valuable learning moment. As interviewers, our role is to assess capabilities, not to be omniscient technical encyclopedias.

This realization was liberating. It transformed my fear into curiosity and opened up a new way of thinking about technical interviews.

Shadowing as a Gateway

The turning point came when I joined the 'shadow interviewer' program. This allowed engineers like me to observe interviews conducted by more experienced colleagues without the pressure of leading or making final decisions. It was the perfect low-risk entry point I needed.

As a shadow, I watched senior interviewers in action, learning how they:

• Structured technical questions

• Created a comfortable environment for candidates

• Evaluated responses objectively

• Minimized biases in their assessments

This experience was eye-opening. I saw firsthand how to fairly evaluate candidates while maintaining a balanced and unbiased perspective. The process demystified interviewing and gradually built my confidence.

As I participated in more shadow interviews, I made a crucial realization that eased my anxiety: the decision to hire or reject a candidate isn't made by a single interviewer. It's a collective process involving all interviewers from various rounds. This insight was liberating. I understood that even if I made a mistake—perhaps mishearing something or making an incorrect assumption—I wouldn't be solely responsible for the final decision. The weight on my shoulders suddenly felt much lighter.

Taking the Leap: My First Interview

Armed with this new perspective and the experience gained from shadowing, I decided it was time to step up. I volunteered to conduct my first interview, despite still feeling nervous and, frankly, scared as hell. The company paired me with an experienced interviewer as my "buddy" who could step in if I needed support, which further boosted my confidence.

The day of the interview arrived, and to my surprise, it went well! Yes, there were areas where I could improve, particularly in managing my nervousness, but I did it! Successfully conducting that first interview felt like a monumental achievement. It was something I never thought I'd be capable of doing, yet there I was, having completed it.

The Time Constraint Myth

A common refrain I've heard from fellow engineers is, "I don't have time to conduct interviews." While I understand this sentiment, I believe it often stems from a misunderstanding of priorities and long-term benefits.

Of course, there are exceptional cases where focusing solely on coding tasks is necessary, such as when facing strict deadlines. However, in most situations, it's a matter of prioritization. By choosing to participate in interviews, you're investing in:

1. Your own professional growth

2. The company's culture and future

3. Achieving necessary headcount goals

4. Distributing the interview workload with other interviewers

Key Takeaways

1. Start Small, Build Confidence

Don't feel pressured to jump into full interviews immediately. Begin with:

• Shadow interviewing programs

• Observing experienced interviewers

• Gradually increasing your involvement

• Learning without the pressure of making final decisions

2. Understand Shared Responsibility

Remember that hiring is a collaborative process:

• No single interviewer determines a candidate's fate

• Multiple perspectives contribute to decisions

• Your assessment is part of a broader evaluation

• This approach reduces personal pressure and anxiety

3. Embrace Continuous Learning

View interviewing as a skill development platform:

• Each interview is an opportunity to improve

• Recognize that everyone starts as a beginner

• Treat challenges as growth experiences

• Recognize that becoming a great interviewer takes practice

4. Recognize Broader Professional Benefits

Interviewing offers growth beyond technical assessments:

• Enhance communication skills

• Develop leadership potential

• Gain broader industry insights

• Contribute to team and company culture

5. Become a Better Interviewee

By conducting interviews, you gain insider perspective on the hiring process:

• Understand what interviewers truly look for

• Learn how to structure and present your own responses

• Recognize effective communication techniques

• Gain insights into evaluation criteria

By approaching interviewing as a journey of personal and professional development, you'll not only contribute to your organization but also significantly advance your own career.