No formal interview, no technical questions: How a boss hired his most capable techie

An Indian startup founder revealed an unusual story of how he brought his first developer on board without conducting a traditional technical interview. Instead of quizzing the candidate on data structures or algorithms, he offered a straightforward challenge. The developer was given a week-long paid trial, tasked with creating a real feature for an existing client. Success would mean a permanent position, while failure would end the engagement without hard feelings.

"Just hired my first developer without asking a single DSA question. No formal interview, no "reverse this binary tree" nonsense," he wrote.

The Outcome Eight Months Later

According to entrepreneur Kartikey Singh, this bold decision proved fruitful. The developer not only cleared the trial but also stayed with the company. Over the following eight months, the new recruit played a crucial role in scaling the business and was instrumental in generating $60,000 in revenue. For Singh, this confirmed his belief that practical problem-solving and real-world execution matter more than theoretical assessments often used in interviews.

Rethinking Hiring Practices

Singh explained that hiring decisions should be rooted in actual work rather than abstract tests. He emphasized that algorithm puzzles or binary tree questions do not directly contribute to building products. What truly creates value, he argued, is the ability of individuals to deliver functional solutions that meet business needs.

Community Response on Social Media

The post quickly sparked conversations online, with many resonating with the approach. One user remarked that the toughest challenges often remain unseen, and those capable of solving them reveal their skills when given the chance to work hands-on. Another person admired the fact that the trial was paid, calling it more realistic and fair than unpaid tests. They even expressed plans to adopt a similar strategy in their own venture.

A third contributor highlighted how refreshing this method was compared to their own frustrating experiences. They recalled rejecting clients who relied on generic, AI-generated question lists that were inconsistent with actual requirements. In some cases, clients had not even bothered to edit placeholder sections of documents where sensitive details were supposed to be added.