The problem with finding programmers that are good at the social stuff (phone support, dealing with customers) is that the great conceit of programmers is:
That knowing things is more important than knowing people
Hence (most good) programmers will find dealing with customers and doing phone support a tedious chore.
What you are looking for then is a programmer that doesn't passionately love programming. If you find them I am willing to bet that as far as their programming skills go they are not so good.
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Alternately, look for someone who used to be a hot-shot programmer, but then dialled it back, "got a life". Look for programmers in their 40s or 50s who are more into the social aspect of life. The problem is, they won't work 80 hours if you're only paying them for 32.
That knowing things is more important than knowing people
Hence (most good) programmers will find dealing with customers and doing phone support a tedious chore.
What you are looking for then is a programmer that doesn't passionately love programming. If you find them I am willing to bet that as far as their programming skills go they are not so good.
----
Alternately, look for someone who used to be a hot-shot programmer, but then dialled it back, "got a life". Look for programmers in their 40s or 50s who are more into the social aspect of life. The problem is, they won't work 80 hours if you're only paying them for 32.