The Complete Developer Interview Kit for Non-Technical Founders
Stop hiring developers based on charm and buzzwords. This kit gives you the exact questions, evaluation frameworks, and red-flag checklist to hire the right developereven if you can't code.
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Technical Insights
Monthly deep-dives on SaaS architecture (no fluff).
4 Hiring Mistakes That Cost $50K+ Each
Hiring based on charm, not competence
$50K wasted, 6 months behind schedule
Structured technical questions reveal true skill level
Skipping portfolio review
Code looks good in interview, terrible in production
Portfolio checklist catches red flags before hire
Not checking references properly
Hire "rockstar" developer who ghosts after 2 weeks
Reference templates get honest feedback
Hiring without test project
Discover they can't actually deliver after committing
$500 test project saves $50K mistake
What's Inside the Interview Kit
Everything you need to interview, evaluate, and hire developers with confidenceno technical background required.
Technical Screening Questions
50+ questions to assess technical depth
- 15 questions for frontend developers (React, Vue, Next.js)
- 15 questions for backend developers (Node, Python, Rails)
- 10 questions for full-stack developers
- 10 questions for mobile developers (iOS, Android, React Native)
- What to look for in answers (red flags vs green flags)
- Follow-up questions to dig deeper
Culture Fit & Soft Skills
Evaluate communication and collaboration
- Questions to assess communication skills
- How to evaluate problem-solving approach
- Remote work readiness assessment
- Team collaboration scenarios
- Client communication evaluation (for contractors)
- Work ethic and reliability indicators
Portfolio Review Checklist
What to look for in code samples
- Code quality indicators (structure, naming, comments)
- Red flags in GitHub profiles
- How to evaluate side projects vs client work
- Testing and documentation standards
- Architecture decision assessment
- Technology choice evaluation
Reference Check Templates
Get the truth from past clients
- Questions for previous employers
- Questions for past freelance clients
- Questions for technical managers
- What to listen for beyond the words
- Red flags that indicate problems
- How to verify claimed accomplishments
Paid Test Project Guidelines
Evaluate real work before committing
- How to structure a $500-1K test project
- What to test for (speed, quality, communication)
- Evaluation rubric and scoring system
- Timeline expectations
- How to give feedback and assess response
- Decision criteria: hire or pass
Contract & Terms Templates
Protect yourself legally
- Freelancer agreement template
- Full-time employment offer letter
- NDA and IP assignment clauses
- Payment terms and milestone structure
- Termination clauses
- Non-compete considerations
This kit saved me from hiring a developer who talked a good game but had a GitHub full of copy-pasted code. The portfolio review checklist caught it immediately. Worth 100x the download.
How to Use This Kit (Step-by-Step)
Review Portfolio Before Interview
Use the Portfolio Review Checklist to evaluate their GitHub, past work, and code samples. Catch red flags before wasting time on an interview. Look for quality over quantity, documentation habits, and technology choices.
Conduct Structured Interview (45-60 min)
Ask technical screening questions from the kit. Use the "what to look for" guides to evaluate answers. Follow up with soft skills and culture fit questions. Take notes on red flags and green flags throughout.
Check References Thoroughly
Use reference check templates to call 2-3 past clients or employers. Ask about reliability, quality, communication, and ability to meet deadlines. Listen for what they don't sayhesitation is a red flag.
Run Paid Test Project ($500-1K, 2-3 days)
Before committing to a large project or hire, pay for a small test project. Evaluate code quality, communication, speed, and ability to follow requirements. Use the evaluation rubric to score their performance objectively.
Make Confident Hire or Pass Decision
Review all data: portfolio, interview notes, references, test project results. Use the decision criteria framework to make an objective call. If there are any major red flags, pass. Trust your processbetter to wait for the right person than rush a bad hire.
Ready to Hire the Right Developer?
Download the complete interview kit and start evaluating candidates with confidence. Used by 300+ non-technical founders to make better hiring decisions.
Coming Soon
Join the waitlist to get the Interview Kit when it launches.
Technical Insights
Monthly deep-dives on SaaS architecture (no fluff).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need technical knowledge to use this kit?
No. The kit is specifically designed for non-technical founders. Technical questions include "what to look for" guides that explain what good answers sound like vs bad answers. You don't need to understand the codejust follow the evaluation framework.
Will developers know I'm using a template?
No. The questions are framed naturally and cover real scenarios. Good developers appreciate structured interviews. The key is listening to their answers and using the evaluation guides, not just reading questions robotically.
How long does a full interview take using this kit?
Plan 60-90 minutes: (1) 15-20 min portfolio review beforehand, (2) 45-60 min interview using questions, (3) 15-20 min reference checks after. Plus optional $500 test project (2-3 days). Total time investment: 2-3 hours per candidate.
Can I use this for hiring freelancers AND full-time developers?
Yes. The kit includes sections for both. Freelancer evaluation focuses more on communication, reliability, and past client satisfaction. Full-time evaluation adds culture fit, long-term commitment, and team collaboration skills.
What if I still don't feel confident evaluating technical skills?
The kit gets you 80% there, but if you're hiring for a critical role (CTO, lead engineer, MVP development), consider having a technical advisor review finalists. Our Quick-Win Discovery Sprint ($5K) includes candidate evaluation as part of the technical roadmap.
How is this different from generic interview guides?
Generic guides are for HR managers hiring into established teams. This kit is for non-technical founders hiring their first developers with no technical oversight. It focuses on avoiding expensive mistakes, not just finding "culture fit." Every question is designed to reveal red flags early.
Still Don't Feel Confident Hiring?
The interview kit helps, but if you're hiring for a critical role (your first developer, technical lead, or CTO), consider getting expert help evaluating finalists.