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Interviewing Quote by Kent Beck

“Given the choice between an extremely skilled loner and a competent-but-social programmer, XP teams consistently choose the more social candidate. The best interviewing technique is to have the candidate work with the team for a day. Pair programming provides an excellent test of technical and…” quote by Kent Beck
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““Given the choice between an extremely skilled loner and a competent-but-social programmer, XP teams consistently choose the more social candidate. The best interviewing technique is to have the candidate work with the team for a day. Pair programming provides an excellent test of technical and social skills.””

Kent Beck

About This Quote

Source Book: Extreme Programming Explained, 1999

Social collaboration often outweighs raw technical skill in team settings; observing candidates in real work reveals both abilities.

In simple terms: Team fit matters more than solo skill.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize social interaction in hiring.

Themes

teamwork communication skill assessment

Mood

pragmatic analytical

Type

advice professional

When to use this quote

  • interview day
  • team projects
  • collaborative tasks

Key Concepts

pair programming social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance technical and social evaluation?
  • What biases might arise in a day‑long test?
A Different Perspective

Social skills can be hard to measure objectively.

4.9 out of 5 (8 ratings)

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