Job applicants and archiectural skills

This time we are hiring. The skillset is quite simple: problem-solving, architecture, c# and some client side javascripting.

You know what?

One of four developers Is problem-solving type and can describe a solution for given task from scratch (last time i've asked to provide sample plugin architecture for .net windows forms).

But I still believe that my next candidate will be ok :)

I know that some interviewers concentrate on c#/javascript language knowledge.

Some interviewers prefer to test architecturing and problem solving skills barelly touching language related issues.

I prefer to follow the last approach because often i see developers who do really know language syntax but their code was awful: lack of abstractions, pure testability, and almost all s.o.l.i.d. principles are not taken into account.

Today a couple of my collegues and me conducted an interview with a candidate. He has more than 3 years in development and seems quite smart, but has lack of architecturing and problem solving skills.

So my answer on question 'are we going to hire him?' was 'no'.

Hope next candidate on friday will be much better (looking at his cv i can hope)