How to Interview a Developer - Tips for Non-Technical Founders

#interview #developer #career

Guess what? You don’t need to know how to code to spot a great developer - and yet, so many non-technical founders feel lost the moment tech interviews come up.

The trick isn’t to fake technical knowledge - it’s to shift your focus toward mindset, process, and communication. Here's how to run a developer interview that actually tells you what you need to know.

1. Start with the outcome, not the code:
Instead of jumping straight into tech stacks or frameworks, talk about the product and business goals. A good developer will engage, ask thoughtful questions, and maybe even propose ideas you hadn’t considered. That’s what you want.

2. Watch how they handle uncertainty:
Startup life is messy. Requirements shift, specs are half-written, and you need someone who doesn’t freeze. Ask things like:

"What do you do when you don't get a full brief?"
"How do you move forward when the direction isn’t 100% clear?"

3. Ask how they communicate with non-technical teammates:
You’ll be working together closely - and if you can’t understand each other, everything slows down. Ask:

"Have you worked directly with founders or marketers before?"
"How do you explain technical ideas to non-tech people?"

4. Give a mini, real-world test project:
Skip the leetcode-style puzzles. Instead, offer a small paid task tied to your product (even something like building a working form or a simple dashboard). You're evaluating:

Do they ask clarifying questions?
Is the solution clear, simple, and on time?

5. Bring in a technical ally if needed:
Don’t go solo if you don’t have to. A technical friend, advisor, or freelancer can help review the code or architecture. You focus on clarity, ownership, and collaboration.

6. Ask about past product involvement:
Try to figure out if the dev sees themselves as a builder, not just a coder. Ask: