2025-08-05 –, Florentine B
The conventional approach to conducting technical engineering interviews is outdated and fundamentally flawed. These practices, which rely heavily on computer science challenges or rote memorization, often contribute to a high rate of false positives and false negatives. Furthermore, these interviews frequently fail to assess the skills necessary for the actual role. As a result, organizations tend to hire candidates who excel at navigating the interview process but may not be the best fit for the position or the organizational culture. Conversely, highly qualified candidates who would otherwise be well-suited for the role are frequently overlooked. Such experiences can leave candidates with a negative perception of the organization, regardless of their final interview outcome. A more effective approach is needed.
Join Matt Torbin to discuss the data surrounding technical interviewing and learn about an interactive interviewing experience that has been tested, leaving candidates and team members with a positive experience. It is designed to assess candidates' skills in direct relation to the work they will perform within the hiring organization. This refined interview process focuses on the critical competencies required for the role and aims to be engaging and approachable, ensuring that candidates, regardless of outcome, perceive the experience positively.
As the ways of working have changed to include hybrid and remote arrangements on a more regular basis, the interview process has not kept pace. No longer are candidates sitting in a conference room being asked to do technical challenges in person. Instead, they are interviewing virtually, where assessing IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence) can be even more different. Yet in this distributed environment, EQ skills such as meeting engagement and communication are crucial to success, and the expectations of these abilities have increased. According to the 2025 CareerPlug Candidate Experience Report, “26% of candidates declined an offer due to a poor experience.” Additionally the report found that “91% of candidates said a positive candidate experience influenced their decision to accept an offer.” No longer is the outdated stereotype of a software engineer who hides behind a computer a viable option. Instead, people must now possess both technical skills and the ability to communicate clearly with other teams, presenting their areas of discipline coherently and regularly.
By creating a fictitious organization and characters specifically crafted to interact with the interviewee, cross-team dynamics and organizational challenges can be effectively incorporated, enriching the experience for all involved. The central component of this is the Non-Playing Interviewers or NPIs. Each NPI is specifically crafted to come with a backstory, notifications, and alignments. In other words, the NPI will react based on responses from the interviewee and will be more or less inclined to take one approach or another based on how other NPIs are reacting.
The interview itself consists of challenges, all of which represent actual tasks expected of the role. These challenges are intentionally designed to allow for dynamic gameplay, depending on the approach the interviewee takes. For example, while an interviewee with heavy AWS experience might respond in one way, an interviewee with a greater focus on software development might respond in a completely different way, and the challenges are fluid enough to provide each interviewee a rich environment in which to navigate.
Matt Torbin has been a driving force in secure software development for over 20 years, influencing all aspects of the software development lifecycle. He began his career as a full-stack engineer with a focus on UI/UX, creating user experiences for renowned brands including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Anthropologie, and VEVO, engaging millions of users.
In the last several years, Matt has shifted his focus to information security. In his current role as the Manager of Application Security at Quanata, he collaborates closely with product and engineering teams to advance product security best practices and deliver comprehensive security training. His industry contributions span public speaking, authorship, and community involvement. He has presented at conferences such as DEF CON and Day of Shecurity (DoS), authored privacy articles for 2600 Magazine: The Hacker Quarterly, and held key volunteer roles in initiatives including the Packet Hacking Village, Day of Shecurity, and BSidesSF. Among his achievements, he co-founded the DoS conference, realizing his vision for a more inclusive event.
Outside of work, Matt mentors emerging professionals in the DoS community. A passionate skateboarder and longboarder, he often spends time with his son at skate parks throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.