What is the most efficient way to hire good people in an organization? I think most of the software companies do not have enough competency in this area. Normally when the company is in a hiring spree, the HR asks some experience employee to interview the candidate. Very less importance is given to the fact whether the interviewer knows how exactly to find the real potential of the candidate. Most people look for the weaknesses of the candidate and fire such questions that will bring out his weaknesses again and again. This ends up in a very biased evaluation and thereby the induction of a wrong person in the wrong place.
While taking an interview, the moment I realize that the candidate does not know a particular thing, I don't poke my nose deep into it. I just leave it there and go to the next question. As my husband rightly said, we must look for the strengths of a person, rather than for his weakness. I strongly feel that companies should be serious about giving training and guidelines to interviewers so that the right people come in to the organization.
Here is an MSDN article on Hazards of Hiring. The author Eric Sink lists out a few points to remember when you hire a person.
I think it is in the personality of some people to put down others using all means possible. Inerviewing them is one such opportunity for them.