September 15, 2025

Our first interviews are all about people

Great code can’t fix poor communication. We’ve seen firsthand how collaboration and personality can make - or break - a project. That’s why our very first step with every candidate is a conversation focused on communication, character, and connection.

Insight

Our first interviews are all about people
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A Personal Approach to Every Interview

I personally conduct these first-round interviews. With years of experience interviewing across industries - and as a certified facilitator and conflict resolution expert - I know that communication isn’t a “soft” skill; it’s a critical one. Whether you’re shipping code or serving customers, the ability to listen, articulate, and collaborate is what sets high-performing professionals apart.

What We’re Really Looking For

This stage isn’t about trick questions or technical trivia. Instead, I’m asking:

  • Can we hold a natural, engaging conversation in English, our shared working language?
  • Does the candidate listen as thoughtfully as they speak?
  • Would I (and our clients) want to collaborate with this person on a tight deadline or complex problem?

Why It Matters to Our Clients

Our clients trust us to recommend experts who will elevate their teams - not just fill a role. By understanding a candidate’s personality early on, we safeguard team culture and ensure smooth collaboration. This step comes before the homework assignment and deep technical interview, but it’s equally crucial.

People First, Always

For us, building high-performing teams isn’t just about code quality or speed - it’s about trust, empathy, and shared standards. Starting with a conversation helps us find the kind of professionals who will thrive in any environment.

If you’re ready to join a network that values you as a whole professional - or if you’re a company seeking developers who communicate as well as they code - HighCircl is ready to connect.


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Emese Biro-Varhelyi

Emese Biro-Varhelyi is the HR and Recruitment Specialist at HighCircl. A human-centric strategist blending operational efficiency with employee experience, with 3+ years in HR, people operations, and employee experience strategy - and over 10 years spent in hospitality operations - she brings a rare ability to turn operational chaos into human-centered harmony.

As a certified mediator and chief empathy advocate, she is skilled in conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving. She is recognized for her hands-on approach to process optimization, ensuring organizational goals align with employee well-being. Whether designing people operations strategies, optimizing workflows, or championing engagement, she remains committed to building inclusive, collaborative, and resilient workplaces.

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