"... everyone we've hired never thought it was too much to ask for either." Well, that's a self selecting sample set. What about those who walked away because they were good enough to choose who they work for, and thought you were just wasting their time?
"when we ask what's their skill level is with language X ... People often don't know what they do not know." So don't ask that question then. It's a stupid question. It's the ones with the most knowledge who are most aware of what they don't know. Instead, ask about what they've done using that language. Within two to three well chosen follow-up questions you should be able to tell whether they really understood what they were doing and the level they're at.
Web Dev full-stack [LAMP] since 2005, but much heavier on the JS stuff these days.
Jack of all Stacks, Master of some.
Always looking to learn new things. Always glad to help out, just ask.
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Education
B.S. in Biochemistry 2004, M.S. in Computer Information Systems 2007
Sorry, i am apparently really bad at checking notifications on dev.
To address the two items you noted.
Yes, it's a self-selecting sample set. If they felt we were wasting their time, then they don't understand our needs, so it's ok that they walked away. Those that decided to do the tests, well they seem more in line with how we think and will probably be a better fit. If you're applying for a job, it's up to you how much you are willing to do to show you can do the work. If you walk away, it tells me you weren't that interested in the first place, i don't have time to waste pursuing you further. And that's ok too.
Stop and think. I ask that question because I want to know their answer. Our industry is full of hubris [i can't say i'm not overly cocky about things some times and it's damn hard to not be when you have more experience than someone else, but it's good to learn to restrain that]
So back to what i said in the original comment. If someone claims to be a 10, is nearly immediately dismiss them for A. Lying [literally no one is a 10], and B. being too damn arrogant. C. I then look at the work samples they provided to confirm A and B before deciding for sure.
If they are experienced, you're right, they'll know how to answer that question far better.
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"... everyone we've hired never thought it was too much to ask for either." Well, that's a self selecting sample set. What about those who walked away because they were good enough to choose who they work for, and thought you were just wasting their time?
"when we ask what's their skill level is with language X ... People often don't know what they do not know." So don't ask that question then. It's a stupid question. It's the ones with the most knowledge who are most aware of what they don't know. Instead, ask about what they've done using that language. Within two to three well chosen follow-up questions you should be able to tell whether they really understood what they were doing and the level they're at.
Sorry, i am apparently really bad at checking notifications on dev.
To address the two items you noted.
Yes, it's a self-selecting sample set. If they felt we were wasting their time, then they don't understand our needs, so it's ok that they walked away. Those that decided to do the tests, well they seem more in line with how we think and will probably be a better fit. If you're applying for a job, it's up to you how much you are willing to do to show you can do the work. If you walk away, it tells me you weren't that interested in the first place, i don't have time to waste pursuing you further. And that's ok too.
Stop and think. I ask that question because I want to know their answer. Our industry is full of hubris [i can't say i'm not overly cocky about things some times and it's damn hard to not be when you have more experience than someone else, but it's good to learn to restrain that]
So back to what i said in the original comment. If someone claims to be a 10, is nearly immediately dismiss them for A. Lying [literally no one is a 10], and B. being too damn arrogant. C. I then look at the work samples they provided to confirm A and B before deciding for sure.
If they are experienced, you're right, they'll know how to answer that question far better.