I have to interview people too, but on the contrary of what you do :I'm not trying to find if people are good;
Instead I'm rather trying to find if it will be useful/pleasant to work with those people.

I mean a great programmer, being asocial can ruin an entire team work.
A Newbie can become a great coder (at an interesting price...)
An so on...

So I've choosen some traits which are important to me, and that's what I'm trying to find during the interview :

1) REAL desire to learn or better a passion for computer/coding.

Does the guy code by pleasure (does he code at home?) what is the last thing he has learnt and why ?(show me if the guy is ecclectic ? Curious...)
This desire to learn or coputer's passion is the best garanty that the guy will be constantly improving for me.

2) Human qualities.

Hey ! some people (me?) will have to work with him
Can I trust him ? Does he accept his weaknesses (Those who have no weaknesses in interview tend to report their failure on others(and never learn from their mistakes) according to my experience...) ? Is he smiling ?(don't know for you, but I prefer to work with happy people...) How does it stands pressure ? Is he feared by heavy work load (My boss seems to have no limit on this !)


Some traits aren't necessay but are although a plus for me :
Ability to propose solution, loving challenges...
I tend not to rely to much on experience...


As you see technical skills/diploma aren't my first interest (although I require BASIC skill in the technical fields needed...)

And of course, this is by no mean : THE WAY to interview people, but only my humble opininion
(technically biased as I'm not HR).
(Just note that I've never been deceived until now)