Been interviewing people around 8 years now. I continue to be amazed at how much people who look like rock stars on paper can flounder on the basics, and "average" looking candidates can shine.
No strategy is perfect, but put yourself in the shoes of someone about to drop a large portion of their budget on you. Wouldn't you want some idea that they'll be able to do the job?
Talking over coffee sounds great, but I've encountered many a candidate that talks a big game on the high level, but just can't write code.
(fwiw, I don't use "gotcha" questions with tricks, I'm quite flexible on languages used, I'm not being a stickler on syntax, and I don't care if you code on a whiteboard, paper, or laptop I provide.)
No strategy is perfect, but put yourself in the shoes of someone about to drop a large portion of their budget on you. Wouldn't you want some idea that they'll be able to do the job?
Talking over coffee sounds great, but I've encountered many a candidate that talks a big game on the high level, but just can't write code.
(fwiw, I don't use "gotcha" questions with tricks, I'm quite flexible on languages used, I'm not being a stickler on syntax, and I don't care if you code on a whiteboard, paper, or laptop I provide.)